Publish date: 1 August 2022

We’re pleased to announce that two new Clinical Directors have been appointed for Acute Mental Health Services and Older Persons’ Mental Health Services in the Trust.

Dr Suhana Ahmed – Older Persons’ Mental Health Services image-20220801153341-1.jpeg

Suhana is a Consultant Psychiatrist, dual-trained in Old Age and General Adult Psychiatry. She joins West London NHS Trust from her current roles working at an Old Age inpatient setting and as Director of Medical Education at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust. 

 

Sonya Clinch – Acute Mental Health Services image-20220801153341-2.png

Sonya is an experienced clinician with a background in nursing and has worked in the NHS for over 25 years. She joined West London NHS Trust in 2013 and has held several leadership roles in both community and inpatient services. Sonya is currently the Associate Director of Acute Mental Health Services and is responsible for strategy and operations across all acute mental health services in our three boroughs. 

The new appointments follow Dr Nevil Cheesman (Clinical Director for Cognitive Impairment and Dementia / Older Persons’ Mental Health Services) and Dr Fintan Larkin (Clinical Director in Access and Urgent Care / Acute Mental Health Services) planning to move to different roles later this year. 

Executive Director for Local Services, Dr Christopher Hilton said: 

"We’re grateful to Fin and Nevil for their leadership and look forward to further opportunities to thank both in the autumn.  

However, I’m delighted to be welcoming Suhana and Sonya to the Senior Team in Local Services. Both come with sound clinical backgrounds and previous leadership experience, and both are great additions to the Clinical Director group, which is unique in West London in providing combined operational and strategic functions supported by other professional structures. 

I’d also like to acknowledge the contribution of colleagues, patients, carers and partner organisations for participating in the interviews and stakeholder panels to guide the appointment process."