PCREF is a national framework, launched by NHS England, designed to tackle racial disparities in mental health care and improve outcomes for diverse communities.
PCREF is a tool to address these issues head-on by embedding equality into the heart of everything we do. It focuses on listening to patients and carers, understanding their experiences, and co-developing solutions.
The launch event featured an exceptional panel of speakers from across Cygnet who discussed how to transform this framework into tangible change. We were also delighted to welcome Cllr Dr Jacqueline Dyer MBE, Mental Health Equalities Advisor for NHS England, as a guest speaker.
David Wilmott, Director of Nursing, said: “As Director of Nursing and Executive lead for PCREF, this is such an important strategy for all health and social care providers. Making sure we work in organisations which have a positive and proactive approach to eliminating racism is so important.
“We want to ensure we work in a diverse and mutually respectful way, ensuring we hold our patients’ and carers’ backgrounds and cultures in the highest regard. I wholeheartedly commend this work to you and look forward to working with all of you to embed PCREF within Cygnet.”
Kaajal Kotecha-Chotai, Director of Corporate Governance, said: “PCREF is about accountability; it’s about equity; it’s about meaningful change, and fostering a truly inclusive environment.”
David added: “It is the right thing to do. It’s the right thing to do for our carers, for our patients, for our communities.”
Thank you to all of our insightful panel members who contributed to the launch:
- Cllr. Dr Jacqueline Dyer MBE, KCL Hon Fellow, Mental Health Equalities Advisor for NHS England
- David Wilmott, Chair of the panel, Director of Nursing
- Kaajal Kotecha-Chotai, Director of Corporate Governance
- Matthew Mckenzie FRSA BEM, Carer PCREF Lead
- Raf Hamaizia, Expert by Experience Lead
- Dwayne Hutchinson, Patient PCREF Lead
- Juliet Muzawazi Powell, Practice Development Nurse
- Dr Arokia Antonysamy, Regional Medical Director
- Dr Samuel Parker, Clinical Psychologist
- Afifa Ghouri, Senior Social Worker, Cygnet Hospital Harrow
- Sibo Attley, Registered Manager, Cygnet Bury Hudson
A special thanks to Laura Sheridan, Group Head of Carer & Service User Engagement, for all your hard work organising this inspirational launch event.