Kate Gorse-Brightmore - Hospital Manager

Kate graduated from the University of London South Bank with a masters in Psychology, including specialising in addictions and mental health. She has a leadership and management diploma awarded by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), as well as a gold accreditation in quality improvement. Kate has extensive experience of managing and regulating complex services in the health and social care sector, always ensuring people who use services receive safe, high quality and compassionate care when they need it.

She has been working in the health and social care sector for over 25 years, including in the voluntary and 3rd sector, NHS and independent services, as well as in a variety of settings including community, inpatient and criminal justice settings. Kate has a strong understanding of the Health and Social Care Act and regulatory requirements due to her career in the Care Quality Commission.

Kate joined Cygnet in 2020, initially working with services across a national footprint to improve compliance with the Health and Social Care Act (2008) (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Kate was appointed Hospital Manager of Cygnet Hospital Bierley in November 2022.

Hannah Sidhu - Clinical Manager

Hannah studied in Leeds and qualified as a Registered Mental Health Nurse in 2011 before joining Cygnet Hospital Bierley in the November as a preceptor nurse. Hannah started her time in Low Secure Female PD services before being exposed to other wards in the hospital for professional development such as Denholme, Shelley and Bowling.

Hannah became a CTL on Bowling Ward in 2014 working across both Shelley and Bowling before progressing to Ward Manager on Shelley Ward in 2016, soon after transferring across to Bowling Ward in early 2017. Hannah is now the Clinical Manager for the hospital.

Hannah is very psychologically minded and has a keen interest in psychological based therapies to help our service users to achieve their optimum level of recovery. Hannah is highly motivated to work as part of a team to deliver a high standard of patient focused care. Hannah has also completed an Advanced Diploma in Health and Social Care Leadership and Management.

Caroline Clare - Head of Psychology

Caroline is a Consultant Forensic Psychologist who joined the team as Head of Psychology in June 2020.

She has worked in a Psychological setting since 2008 and has experience of working with adults with a range of different needs including complex personality disorder, mental health issues, autism and learning disabilities. Caroline has attended training to be able to use different approaches in therapy (including CBT, EMDR, CAT and Schema Therapy) and has a certification in working with complex trauma.

She enjoys working with individuals to develop a collaborative treatment plan that will meet their needs. Caroline is keen to put individuals at the centre of the care, and enjoys being creative and trying different ways to help people to improve their quality of life and progress in their recovery journey.

Caroline Pratt – Head of Occupational Therapy

Caroline studied at York St John University and qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2013 before joining Cygnet Hospital Bierley as a Band 5. It was during this time that Caroline was supported to complete the Royal College of Occupational Therapy Preceptorship Programme.

Caroline started her Occupational Therapy career within female Personality Disorder services and overtime has experience of working within low secure and PICU services.

Caroline became a Senior Occupational Therapist in 2015 before taking up her current position as the Head of Occupational Therapy at Cygnet Hospital Bierley.

Caroline has continued to engage in professional development, having completed her educators course. At present, Caroline is completing her Sensory Integration Preceptorship.

Lauren Watson - Ward Manager

Lauren’s interest in Mental Health began when studying for her BSC in Psychology and Criminology in 2009 followed by a MSC in Forensic Psychology in 2010. Lauren began her journey within Cygnet as a Healthcare Support Worker in 2011, before completing her BSC Mental Health Nursing through The Open University in 2017. She has then progressed from RMN to Clinical Team Leader, before becoming Bowling Ward Manager in 2020.

Lauren has completed training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. She is enthusiastic about delivering person-centred care and supporting service users in their recovery journey, within a therapeutic environment which is conducive to their needs. She is also a keen and supportive mentor for Student Nurses nurturing their development into RMNs of the future.

Leanne Dobson - Forensic Psychologist

Leanne is a Registered Forensic and Chartered Psychologist who joined Cygnet in 2020. Leanne has over 15 years experience of working with adults suffering from a range of mental health difficulties including mental illness, personality disorder and learning disability, often complicated by the effects of trauma and substance misuse.

Leanne has worked across secure and rehabilitation settings drawing upon a number of approaches in her work including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Leanne is passionate about collaborative working and person-centred care empowering individuals in the planning, implementation and achievement of their treatment goals.

Brian English - Maintenance Manager

Following serving in the Army, Brian joined Cygnet in 2005 as a Maintenance Assistant. He has since worked his way up to his current position. In his time Brian has worked at a number of other Cygnet units, these include Wyke, Brighouse, Harrogate, Derby, Stevenage and Kewstoke giving him a wide range of knowledge relating to our services.

Brian is also our Health and Safety Lead and Fire Officer at the hospital. Brian holds a number of qualifications in maintenance and other areas of the building trade and is keen to develop his team as well as creating a safe well maintained environment, that is appealing to patients, carers and staff alike.

Stephen Dunwell - Head Chef

Stephen has worked in catering for almost twenty years, the last fifteen of which have been in the healthcare sector. Stephen is qualified in Diabetic cookery and to Level 4 in hygiene management.

Stephen is highly motivated and leads the catering team which provides well balanced and nutritious meals to all the hospital's clientele.