05 August2016

For immediate release

Katie McDonald is our latest Hidden Gem winner

Occupational Therapist Katie McDonald has been presented with a Hidden Gem Award for being an "example of our Trust values in action".

Although now working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Hillingdon, Katie was nominated for the award by the team at Harrow and Hillingdon Early Intervention Service (EIS), which she left just two months ago.

The team joined Borough Director Kim Cox to present Katie with her Hidden Gem on Thursday 4 August.

One colleague said of Katie: "She is well known for her work ethic, positive attitude, teamwork mentality, leadership, and diligence. She is well respected in the team and beyond for being the "go-to" person for exemplary positive collaborative working relationship. If you are to speak to staff across both Hillingdon and Harrow borough (Work across two boroughs) you will find that Katie is well known and well regarded."

Of her work with patients, another said: "Katie always places the needs of the individuals with whom she works as paramount. She is compassionate and caring in her approach. It is not uncommon for patients or carers who have spoken to her on the phone to ask to speak to her again because they value her support and approach."

When asked what she enjoyed most about her role at the service, Katie said "Seeing patients getting better and making achievements in their life was such as positive thing for me. There was nothing about this job I didn't like, except maybe balancing the vast amount of paper work, which was time consuming and time that I could have been spending with patients."

Asked how she feels to win a Hidden Gem award, Katie said, "It's nice to have recognition from a team I really enjoyed working with and a job I thoroughly enjoyed. It feels lovely."

Editors' notes

Early intervention team works with people aged 14 to 35 who have experienced their first episode of psychosis. Once referred, service users can remain with the team for three to five years.

The team is made up of different healthcare professionals, therapists and support workers who help patients improve and maintain their quality of life during and after their time at the service. Patients are helped with housing and accommodation. Taught life skills such as cooking, cleaning and are taken to sports classes to improve their fitness. The team also has an employment specialist who helps patients back into work.
 
Attached photo shows Borough Director Kim Cox with Katie McDonald 

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL
Tel: 020 3214 5756 e-mail:communications.cnwl@nhs.net