Meet the Team

Ricky Mugwagwa - Hospital Manager

Ricky qualified in 2007 as a psychiatric nurse from the University of Brighton. Since qualifying he has gained extensive experience across numerous inpatient and community services including; acute, secure, and neuro-disability services.

Ricky has held various leadership posts including that of Hospital Manager before joining Cygnet Hospital Blackheath in early 2021. Ricky was appointed Hospital Manager of Cygnet Hospital Harrow in September 2023.

In his spare time he enjoys sports, particularly cycling which he often does to raise money for charity.

Dr Azmathulla Khan - Medical Director

Dr Khan undertook general psychiatric training at St. Georges Psychiatric Training Scheme. He worked in medium secure setting for some time at Springfield hospital and then in Learning Disability Psychiatry at North London Higher Training scheme subsequently worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist in the Barnet and Enfield NHS trust.

After working in NHS for 5 years he joined Priory hospital and worked in inpatient unit for people with Autism and Learning disabilities. He is passionate about quality improvement, recovery and involvement of service users and family in care planning and the delivery of services. He is an Approved Clinician (AC) for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983. He is ADOS 2 trained and is involved in Autism diagnostics assessment clinic in Harrow.

Dr Khan joined Cygnet Hospital Harrow in October 2017 as the Consultant Psychiatrist for Spring Centre and he played a pivotal role in setting up the Inpatient unit. He was appointed as Medical Director of Cygnet Hospital Harrow and Cygnet Lodge Kenton in January 2020. He believes that leading as a team is equally important as leading a team in delivering a high quality of care.

Dr Khan also has longstanding academic interests in offender health, safeguarding and medico legal aspects of Learning Disability psychiatry including psychiatric defences, risk assessment and risk management. He also has special interest in Bipolar Disorder, OCD and Depression.

Victoria Bennett - Clinical Manager

Victoria joined Cygnet Hospital Harrow in 2014 as a Team Leader on the Springs Unit. Prior to joining Cygnet Health Care she worked in the NHS covering a broad spectrum of; Acute, ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) and Mother and Baby specialist nursing. Victoria became Ward Manger for the Springs Unit and Springs Wing in October 2016.

Tracy Tate – General Manager

Tracy joined Cygnet Hospital Harrow in May 2005. For over 10 years Tracy managed the Administration Department whilst maintaining responsibility for HR within the Hospital.

Tracy was appointed General Manager of Cygnet Hospital Harrow in July 2018 and is responsible for all non-clinical services and operations across the site.

Gerald Mhlanga - Quality and Compliance Lead

Gerald has over 20 years’ experience working in different Mental Health settings. Gerald joined Cygnet Healthcare at Harrow in June 2006, as a Clinical Team Leader on the Low Secure service.

In 2007 Gerald was involved in setting up the Springs Services at Cygnet Hospital Harrow, he was later promoted to be the manager of that service a year later. In 2016, Gerald was appointed the hospital's Clinical Quality and Compliance Lead.

Jane Wahinya – Springs Centre Ward Manager

Jane Wahinya joined Cygnet in 2012 as a staff nurse and later was promoted to a team leader position in 2015. In 2016, Jane became the ward manager for the Springs Wing and later the ward manager for Springs Centre. In 2018 Jane received the Cygnet Hospital Harrow 'Employee of the Year' award.

Terry Chesworth – Springs Unit Ward Manager

Terry joined Cygnet Hospital Stevenage in 2014 as a staff nurse and then transferred to Cygnet Hospital Harrow, where she become Team Leader in 2016. In March 2018, Terry was appointed Ward Manager of the Springs Unit.

The Springs Unit is proud to have been selected in the pilot of SafeWards as the first ASD specialist unit to be included.

Alpha Collins - Springs Wing Ward Manager

Alpha began working at Cygnet Health Care in 2010 working via an agency as a support worker before deciding to complete his Nursing in Postgraduate qualification in 2018. Following this, he continued working at Cygnet Hospital Harrow as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, whilst gaining additional experience after completing a Master of Science degree in International Business Management. Alpha also served as a Deputy Ward Manager and Residential Home Manager for individuals with Autism and Learning impairments; while using his bilingual skills in English and Dutch.

Alpha also worked for the NHS at West London Trust, on a female forensic medium-secure unit, a male acute service ward, and a male high-secure ward at Broadmoor whilst doing the Capital Nursing Programme. Eventually, in 2022, he decided to join Cygnet Hospital Harrow on a permanent basis, as the manager of the Springs Wing.

Alpha’s motivation has always been to assist others, give exceptional care, and improve the lives of others.

Alexandra Constantinescu - Byron Ward Manager

Alexandra joined Cygnet Hospital Harrow in 2018 as a staff nurse on the Springs Unit. Prior to joining Cygnet Health Care she worked in the NHS on female psychiatric intensive care and personality disorder units.

Alexandra was later promoted to team leader on the Springs Unit and later became Ward Manger for the Springs Wing in March 2020. In October 2022 she was appointed ward manager of Byron Ward.

Michelle van Vuren - Head of Occupational Therapy

Michelle qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2011 in South Africa. She joined Cygnet Harrow in June 2022 to lead the Occupational Therapy department, having worked as an occupational therapist in vocational rehabilitation, SEN schools, and acute mental health care. She also gained experience in outdoor-based/ experiential learning with children, adolescents, and adults. Michelle is trained to conduct occupational therapy groups by using the Interactive Group Model. She is also trained in the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability model which allows her to provide therapeutic interventions through positive risk-taking.

Michelle has a passion for seeing people realise their full potential and discovering their true identities through engagement in activities. She loves travelling, ice cream, Wednesdays, and alpacas.

Teika Pininski - Head of Psychology

Teika has been a clinical psychologist for over a decade, working in a variety of settings including; personality disorder services, secure services and community settings. In her most recent post she was head of psychology for a secure hospital and held a number of senior positions prior to this.

Teika is currently the head of psychology at Cygnet Hospital Harrow. She is psychodynamically and systemically minded in her practice, and her research interests include; reflective practice, compassion focused support for service users and staff, and training.

In her spare time, Teika enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, reading, and hiking.

Steve Benson-Cole - Head of Therapy

Steve's background is in counselling with a specialist interest in addictions, working in this field for over 10 years. He gained his MSc in Addiction Psychology and Counselling in 2004 and is a member of the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Steve is also qualified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy which utilises horses in both therapeutic and team building processes.

Michelle Collier – Training Co-ordinator

Michelle joined Cygnet Hospital Harrow in 2012 as a General Administrator. In 2017 Michelle went on to become the Springs Wing Administrator where she worked for 5 years.

In April 2022 Michelle took up the role of Training Co-ordinator. Michelle directly oversees training schedules and co-ordinates training activities, ensuring targets and programs are met and delivered on time. Michelle is responsible for providing the best ongoing career development for all staff within Cygnet Hospital Harrow.

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