SAS Week is a new week-long event founded by NHS Employers in partnership with the British Medical Association (BMA) which celebrates and highlights the value of specialty and specialist (SAS) doctors.
Dr Kalaya won her award at the recent Cygnet Annual Psychiatrists Conference and National Awards 2022. The SAS Doctor of the Year award recognises specialist doctors who demonstrate exceptional clinical skills, service development, teaching, research and leadership.
Dr Kalaya works at Cygnet Hospital Taunton, which provides specialist inpatient services for older adults with mental health problems and for men diagnosed with a learning disability, and was singled out at the awards for her exemplary clinical skills.
Dr Dale Lawrence, Responsible Officer at Cygnet Health Care, presented Dr Kalaya with her award and said: “What is most notable is her amazing skill with regards to admission clerking. The standard is felt to be one of the highest standards within Cygnet Health Care. Dr Kalaya is dedicated to the entire organisation and recently volunteered to work at another site to support that service, and in doing so had to carry an exceptionally large workload.
“She has been very effective in terms of training and education. She recently developed a local training programme aimed at upskilling others and building their confidence. It was so effective that it is now being rolled out throughout the South West Cygnet services.
“Dr Kalaya also led the first Quality Improvement programme at Taunton and ensures not only the appropriate management of medication but that service user choice is preserved.”
On receiving the award, Dr Kalaya said: “I’m so pleased to have won the award and to hear the positive feedback from the staff at Cygnet Hospital Taunton. It’s a really caring place where I’ve been able to learn and develop skills over the last few years. I am surrounded by some of the most wonderful and compassionate people in Somerset. I am really grateful for the support I have had from my consultants, my fellow doctors and the managers. Without them I would not be able to thrive in the way I have as a psychiatrist.”
Dr Tony Romero, CEO of Cygnet Health Care, said: “These awards recognise the achievements and the difference that motivated, compassionate and value-driven doctors and their teams make for our services users and our residents every single day.”
“We have seen so many wonderful examples of our doctors and other clinicians, going above and beyond over the last year and stepping up to work beyond their role and sacrifice their time and dedication for the benefit of the individuals in their care.
“It makes me proud to be the CEO of these exceptional individuals who are a living embodiment of our values at Cygnet. This accolade is testament to the hard work, commitment and dedication of Dr Kalaya. At Cygnet Health Care, we strive to provide the highest quality and standard of care and always put our service users at the heart of what we do. This is demonstrated impeccably by Dr Kalaya.”