Verity Allsop - Interim Hospital Manager

Verity qualified as a Registered Mental Health Nurse in 2011 after completing a degree in Forensic Psychology and then going on to complete her postgraduate nursing qualification. She began her nursing career at Cygnet Sherwood House as a newly qualified nurse and spent 2 years within the service before progressing to her first management role of Head of Care at Cygnet Sherwood Lodge in February 2013. Verity then progressed into her first Hospital Manager role in May 2015 at Cygnet Acer Clinic for 2.5 years before moving into a Regional Quality Assurance Manager role in October 2017.

Verity decided that her real passion remained in Operations and returned back to a Hospital Manager role in December 2019 at Cygnet Storthfield House, before returning back to Cygnet Sherwood Lodge as Hospital Manager in November 2020. Verity strives to keep a happy, positive unit, ensuring that both patient and staff voices are heard.

Lizzie Luzny-Ellis - Head of Care

Lizzie joined Cygnet Storthfield House in September 2013 as a Newly Qualified Staff Nurse, completing her training at the University of Derby. She has worked her way up to Senior Nurse in December 2016 and then to Head of Care in October 2020. Lizzie has also temporarily supported in an Interim Hospital Manager role. Prior to qualifying as an RNMH, she worked at a MIND day centre.

Lizzie is passionate about Student Nurse welfare and ensuring they have positive and meaningful experiences. She is the Student Nurse lead at Cygnet Storthfield House and is looking at ways in which she can improve learning and education. Lizzie is also passionate about staff and patient welfare, striving to maintain a positive and safe environment for all. She supports the Hospital Manager and the unit to achieve the highest standards possible at Cygnet Storthfield House.

Dr Lokesh Gangolli - Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Lokesh Gangolli is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Responsible Clinician at Cygnet Storthfield House, having joined the team in January 2023.

He completed his MBBS from Bangalore University in 2002. With nearly 20 years of experience in Psychiatry, he has had his basic psychiatry training from Oxford and Milton Keynes training programme and from Yorkshire Deanery. He had pursued additional training in various psychiatry subspecialties. His diverse experience includes working in General Adult Psychiatry, Old Age Psychiatry, Learning Disability, Forensic Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and a High Secure Unit at Broadmoor Hospital.

Dr Gangolli holds a Diploma in Psychiatry from Ireland. He is Section 12 approved and an approved clinician with expertise in assessing mental capacity.

Dr Sasha Bhatty - Speciality Doctor

Dr Sasha Bhatty joined the Cygnet Storthfield House team in August 2024, having worked in the NHS prior to this. She completed her medical degree in the south of England, having done her placements in and around Milton Keynes, Oxford and Northampton.

Sasha then went on to complete her foundation training in the East Midlands, followed by three years of core psychiatry training in the same region. During these years she was able to rotate around various subspecialties including CAMHS, Old Age, General Adult, CRHT, Liason Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry, whilst completing her MRCPSYCH qualification.

Sasha’s work interests include teaching and medical education as well as psychotherapy, and she particularly enjoyed being the regional psychotherapy representative during her years as a core trainee. Sasha is looking forward to implement and further develop her skills during her time at Cygnet.

Shannon Cheesmond - Forensic Psychologist

Shannon joined Cygnet Health Care in October 2017 as a bank support worker, quickly progressing to lead support in 2018, and then gaining her first Assistant Psychologist post in 2019. Shannon has since worked across different service lines, and has completed the Qualification in Forensic Psychology, qualifying as a Forensic Psychologist in 2024.

Shannon is passionate about least restrictive approaches and safe and positive risk taking with individuals in our care, to ensure quality of life for our patients, and supporting their progress to discharge. Shannon is also an advocate for compassionate approaches and trauma informed care, and collaboratively ensuring a high standard of care for our patients with the team at Storthfield.

Gemma Hartopp – Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist

Gemma is a HCPC and RCOT registered Occupational Therapist with experience across a variety of mental health settings, including acute, secure forensic, rehabilitation, and psychiatric intensive care units. Her career has also included roles in special educational needs and occupational health, giving her a broad and versatile skill set.

Currently undertaking Ayers Sensory Integration training, Gemma has a particular passion for embedding sensory approaches within rehabilitation. She is dedicated to helping people engage in meaningful occupations and develop essential life skills - whether that’s domestic tasks such as cooking, laundry, and cleaning, personal care routines, budgeting and planning, or accessing vocational education and community activities. Gemma’s approach is person-centred, empowering individuals to build confidence, independence, and a fulfilling daily life.