Serena Birtwistle - Hospital Manager

Serena started working at Fountains as a Registered Mental Health Nurse. She quickly progressed to Senior Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) and then became a Lead Senior Nurse, working alongside the Head of Care and the nursing team to oversee excellent standards of care.

In August 2012, she was promoted to the position of Head of Care where she managed the team of nurses and support workers, whilst enhancing the existing high standards of care and links with the wider communities. Serena then took the post of Hospital Manager in 2021

Vanessa Hughes - Head of Care

Vanessa is currently Head of care at Cygnet Fountains, she has worked at the Fountains since 2005, initially as a support worker before progressing to RMN, Senior Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) and Head of Care. Vanessa enjoys working alongside service users and colleagues making improvements to services and empowering others to make choices and decisions. Vanessa is empathic and a good problem solver, working proactively with the team to achieve goals. She is a safeguarding lead, lead in reducing restrictive practices and champion for revalidation.

Dr Gourinath Tokachichu - Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Gourinath Tokachichu became a member of the Royal College of Psychiatry since 2007 and approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with Section (12) of the Mental Health Act 1983. He has trained in North West England and has been awarded Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in General Psychiatry in 2012. He has been awarded Master of Science (MSc in Psychiatry) by the University of Manchester in 2013 for his research on adolescent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

He has wider clinical experience with a special interest in personality disorders. He took an active role in junior doctor recruitment and involved in service development and innovation as a Medical Manager in NHS. He worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist in General and Forensic Psychiatry and joined Cygnet Fountains as a substantive Consultant Psychiatrist in March 2020.

Dr Uchenna Ajuonuma - Specialty Doctor

Uchenna joined the team at Cygnet Fountains as a specialty doctor in late November 2021. He is an internationally qualified doctor who obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in 2013. Uchenna has experience in forensic psychiatry and in high dependency mental health rehabilitation.

He has worked both in the NHS and in the independent sector. He recently became an affiliate member of the Royal College of psychiatry. Mental health rehabilitation remains his primary interest.

Julie Parker - Regional Mental Health Act Administrator

Ensuring all aspects of Mental Health Act administration are carried out correctly by staff with delegated duties and statutory powers under the Mental Health Act & Code of Practice, in accordance with mental health law as well as arranging meeting such as CPA’s, Best Interest and Professional.

Julia is also a Regional Mental Health Act Lead – providing supervision and guidance for the other administrators in my region. Julie is also one of the three Carer’s Leads at The Fountains.

Sarah Leigh - Specialist Occupational Therapist

Sarah joined the Occupational Therapy Team at the Fountains in August 2022 and progressed to a Specialist Occupational Therapist in Feb 2023. Prior to this, she has worked within the NHS and independent sector in inpatient and CMHT’s.

The majority of her experience is within Mental Health High Dependency Rehabilitation. Sarah leads the Occupational Therapy team to provide Occupational Therapy assessments and Interventions, empowering patients through their recovery journey. She is also the Freedom to Speak up Ambassador for Fountains and Vincent Court.

She enjoys working on Service Development projects to encourage good practice and best possible outcomes. She has a keen interest in working with individuals struggling to communicate to ensure they have a voice, and meeting individuals needs through Sensory Integration.