Publish date: 1 July 2022
Over 70 people, including the Trust’s top doctors and a number of service users, descended on the Cassel Hospital in Richmond to participate in an event themed around ‘Magical thinking and Exclusion’.
The keynote speaker was Dr Chloe Beale from East London NHS Foundation Trust who discussed the use of language and the need to always think about ways to constructively challenge the system in order to maintain the best interests of patients.
Dr Beale’s presentation was followed by Marsha Mc Adam, who works as an expert by experience, advising various UK health and care bodies and was part of commissioning the national KUF Hub, which is hosted by the Cassel Hospital.
The Cassel Hospital provides treatment for adults with severe and complex personality disorders, and young people with emerging personality disorders who’ve often exhausted all other avenues of help from mental health services
The second half of the event included a presentation on ‘Containment’ by Dr Oliver Dale, a consultant and expert in the study of personality disorder and a group discussion hosted by Cassel Hospital Clinical Lead, Dr Kimberley Barlow, Senior Nurse Amanda MacKenzie and Elisabeth Murphy, KUF Facilitator and Senior Peer Trainer alongside service users Hannah, Cara and Ymer.
Dr Derek Tracy, Trust Medical Director host and chair of the meeting said:
“Today’s event was a great success, it was the first time we’ve had all of our medics together in one physical place since before the pandemic. The thought-provoking conversation, debate and perspectives were fitting of such an excellent and historical setting of the Cassel Hospital. We heard a real mix of expert opinions and emotions that will enhance the learning experience for everyone there.
“I’d like to particularly thank our service user colleagues who brought the reality to the room and set quite a number of challenges down for clinicians and the health system to work towards”.
