Meet The Team
Ruth Halsey - Hospital Manager
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Prior to coming to Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke as Clinical Manager, Ruth worked in the NHS for 25 years. Since qualifying as an RMN in 1982 Ruth's career progressed to becoming the first mental health nurse in the country to be elected to the Primary Care Group Board and was also Director of Nursing for Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust.
Ruth is committed to nursing and the best patient centred care whilst also working with all disciplines to ensure high quality in the service at Kewstoke.
Dr Martin Horler - Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Since qualifying in 2002 Martin has gained a variety of experience in different adult mental health settings. This includes primary care, acute psychiatry services, specialist Personality Disorder services and working in a low secure unit.
Martin has an active role on the committee of the Psychosis & Complex Mental Health Faculty within the British Psychological Society, and has been involved in publishing research articles and policy guidance documents.
Deb Low - Head of Occupational Therapy
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Deb qualified with a first class BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy June 2006. Deb also has plenty of life experience to offer at Kewstoke, having had careers as an officer in the Women's Royal Naval Service and as a manager with Waterstone's book company.
As an OT Deb is convinced that occupation is important for health. She is also interested in the link between physical health and mental health and believes in the importance of meeting patients' spiritual needs in whatever form they take.
Ruth Garn - Deputy Service Manager for The Lodge
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Since qualifying from Kings College London as an RMN in 1999 Ruth has worked in a variety of healthcare settings. From forensic and low secure services to inpatient rehabilitation units her focus is always to support those with mental health issues to fulfil their optimum potential.
Ruth continues her professional development, recently gaining BsC hons in mental health. Having worked within Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke as a Clinical Team Leader since 2006 she has recently been promoted to the post of Deputy Service Manager for the Lodge.
Lindi Masilela - Knightstone Ward Manager
Lindi moved to England from Zimbabwe in 2001 to study Psychiatric Nursing at the University of West of England. She now works with male patients in the rehabilitation phase of their treatment, although the bulk of her experience is in female secure services.
Lindi joined Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke in September 2006, from Partnerships In Care, Llanarth Court Hospital. She joined Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke as a Clinical Team Leader in the female complex needs ward and was promoted to Ward Manager in March 2007.
Mike Kambasha - Milton Ward Manager
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Mike qualified as an RMN at De Montfort University in Leicester in March 2002. He has seven years experience of working within psychiatric nursing.
He joined Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke in November 2006, initially working as a Clinical Team Leader with the male complex needs rehabilitation service.
Mike was promoted to Ward Manager of the female service in April 2009.
Barry O'Driscoll - Nash Ward Manager
Barry moved from Ireland to the UK in 2001 and trained as an RMN at the University of The West of England. Upon completion he worked on a mixed psychiatric intensive care unit in the Bristol area. He joined Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke as a clinical team leader on the male intensive care ward when the hospital opened in Sept 2006.
Barry has recently taken the position of Ward Manager on the male intensive care ward and is currently studying for a Post Grad MSc in Leadership and Management in health and social care.
Lynn Williams - Redhill Ward Manager
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As a dual registered nurse Lynn has worked with a wide range of clients with varying needs. Throughout her career she has always enjoyed working with those whose needs challenge the service they are in.
Lynn has been involved in setting up small group homes for clients coming out of learning disability hospitals, and in developing new services for people with early on-set dementia. She is a co author of a book on person-centred assessment and has been a judge for the Nurse of the Year awards in London.
Lorna Matthews - Operations Manager
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Lorna has worked for Cygnet Health Care for 10 years, previously working as Admissions Co-ordinator for the drug and alcohol service at Isham House in Northampton.
In March 2006 Lorna relocated to Somerset to assist in the commissioning of Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke. Following the opening of the hospital in September that year Lorna has continued to be responsible for responding to all enquiries to the service and co-ordinating the admission process.