A CONSULTANT and volunteer from Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust have won prestigious regional awards

They were recognised at the prestigious RCPsych North West Division Awards 2021.

Avril Clarke, service user representative and governor, has been awarded North West Service User of the Year and Dr Kishen Neelam, lead consultant psychiatrist has won the North West Division Consultant of the Year Award.

He is based at Barnett House in Bolton

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional medical body responsible setting and raising standards of psychiatry in the United Kingdom, and supporting psychiatrists throughout their careers from training through to retirement.

The regional awards recognise the stories of individuals across the North West who have contributed to support mental health care.

Winners were announced at the virtual awards event with the 2021 Dean’s Lecture.

Dr Alice Seabourne, Medical Director, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am really delighted that Avril and Kishen have received these awards. I’m always so impressed in our service users and staff and this is great recognition for two individuals who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic. They should rightly be proud of all they have done, as we all are here at the Trust.”

Dr Neelam, has been praised for his approach to leading GMMH’s mental health services across Bolton, Salford, Trafford, Manchester and Wigan during the pandemic, and his strong passion and commitment to ensuring Greater Manchester’s communities continue to receive vital mental health support and treatment throughout.