FEATURE AWARDS
Naomi Hankinson Naomi graduated from Dorset House School of Occupational Therapy in 1985 , having previously gained a degree in Philosophy from Manchester University .
She commenced her career from within Sunderland Mental Health service , quickly realising that working in mental health would be her career focus . Two years later , and three years on from her formative 12-month placement in Tower Hamlets , she returned as deputy head to St Clements Hospital , part of the mental health services of the London Hospital , Whitechapel .
Within her role as both deputy and then head occupational therapist at St Clements , Naomi was part of the team who helped develop a postgraduate two-year training programme sited in the Medical College .
Once this pioneering , problem-based learning programme was in process , Naomi contributed as a clinical lecturer in mental health and in addition , contributed to the development , validation , delivery and review of the course .
From this post Naomi moved into a general management position ; responsible for wards , community mental health teams , occupational therapy services and advocacy which later led to a project management role integrating health and social care mental health teams in the borough of Tower Hamlets .
Naomi applied for the position of head occupational therapist for Redbridge at a time that the health organisation was in the process of becoming North East London Mental Health Trust . As a result of which , Naomi was appointed the position of joint director of therapies , which meant that occupational therapy had a seat at both the trust board and in the executive team .
To further her interest in professional development , at this time Naomi became involved in representing occupational therapy at the Regional ( London ) Development Centre ( facilitating and sharing good mental health practice across England ) and worked with other AHPs to establish the London Region AHP role until it was established as a full-time position .
Naomi represented occupational therapy on several national working parties , which led to her being a successful applicant for a [ Royal ] College of Occupational Therapists funded secondment to the Department of Health National Social Inclusion Programme ( NSIP ).
Her focus was on workforce and one of her main pieces of work brought together psychiatry , nursing , social work and psychology with occupational therapy to agree good practice in this area . This was published as Capabilities for Inclusion .
Throughout her career , RCOT has been a source of support , and wanting to support her professional body , Naomi successfully stood for chair of council . She spent her four years in this office focusing on improving governance , achieving a positive budget and modernising publications .
Running concurrently with these was her desire to see regional groups and specialist sections working more closely with central services , so that real issues influenced the strategic direction of the Royal College .
She was awarded Visiting Fellow by London South Bank University and has sat on the boards of several mental health organisations ( both private and third sector ). She continues to supervise , coach and mentor both occupational therapists and others , and sits on the managers ’ Mental Health Act hearings at a local hospital .
Currently vice president of COTEC ( Council of Occupational Therapists for the European Countries ) and a trustee of The Elizabeth Casson Trust , Naomi feels privileged to have had the opportunities she has had . This has meant that her career has been both varied and enjoyable and is in no small part due to occupational therapy and occupational therapists which she is very grateful for .
She said on receiving her award : ‘ I was thoroughly delighted when I received the letter from RCOT informing me that I ’ d been awarded a Fellowship , and although I was aware of the nomination it still came as a surprise . I am also aware of the amount of work it is to complete the paperwork , so I was – and am – grateful to those who were willing to spend their time and efforts on it . I am very proud and honoured to have been awarded this , it is a major career highlight for me .’
Jan Harrison Jan Harrison had a series of appointments in occupational therapy in the UK and overseas and established her own company . She was an expert clinician and manager , raised the profile and pushed the frontiers of occupational therapy .
Jan is a recognised neurological expert in her profession . She was for many years at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery , latterly as lead professional adviser . She was keenly involved in external neurological associations and committees and was an avid supporter of client centred care for catastrophically affected clients and fostering a multidisciplinary approach .
She built an internationally known and respected department reflecting the hospital ’ s standing as a centre of excellence . She was active in writing and promoting research herself and of supporting occupational therapists undertaking research and outcome measurement to the benefit of service users . She established one of the first occupational therapy research positions in the NHS .
50 OTnews October 2021