Cumbrian child psychology expert receives standing ovation from national bosses

Child psychology expert, Tim Atkin, presented his project to senior national NHS executives this month and received a standing ovation alongside his course colleagues. Tim, who works as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist for Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, completed a project around training children’s services staff. The project was part of a national Clinical Leadership Fellowship programme. As a result of this work he has now been awarded a post graduate certificate from Manchester Business School in ‘Service Improvement and Leadership’.

Tim presented his successful project to the NHS Leadership Academy, and a poster detailing his work has been seen by highly influential people including the Chief Executive of the NHS (Sir David Nicholson) and the Undersecretary of State for Health (Rt. Hon. Anna Soubry).

Tim was part of the first group to ever undertake the Clinical Leadership Fellowship Programme.

Tim Atkin explains: “The whole experience has been amazing. Although the programme has been challenging it has been incredibly fun and valuable. It is the best course I have ever been on.

My project was around a training strategy for children’s services staff in Cumbria. It has received excellent feedback and I will be making recommendations for how it could work in the future. It was nerve wracking presenting my project but thankfully it was an unequivocal success.”

Jan Sobieraj, Managing Director of the NHS Leadership Academy, blogged about his reaction to those who have completed the programme. He said: “You could almost touch the atmosphere of energy, passion and ambition in the room. Everyone felt a strong sense of anticipation of what’s to come. And let’ not underestimate the significance of what’s to come.  Clinical innovators who can lead teams and shape the healthcare of their localities are crucial to the successful delivery of improved patient care.”