The aim of the conference was to allow service users, carers and healthcare professionals to share experiences and ideas around ways that we can communicate collaboratively and transparently to improve care in Personality Disorder services. It explored ideas such as Open Dialogue and MAAP as methods for ensuring that service users are fully involved in the support that they receive, as well as exploring the journey to recovery from a service user’s perspective.
The day was chaired by Dr Amelia Orchard, Consultant Psychiatrist on Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke’s Knightstone Ward, with presentations from guest speakers along with service users sharing their own experiences both in presentations and in breakout group sessions. The panel of guest speakers included:
- Ian Callaghan, National Service User Lead, Recovery and Outcomes
- Dr Sue Mizen, Consultant Psychiatrist, Devon Partnership NHS Trust
- Professor Mary McMuran, Professor of Personality Disorder Research, Institure of Mental Health, University of Nottingham
- Dr Sarah Pitt, Clinical Psychologist, Nexus and Pathfinder
- Ruth Hannan, Policy & Development Manager (Mental Health), Carers Trust
- Dr Kevin Healy, Medical Director, Cygnet Hospital Ealing
We would like to say a huge thank you to all our collaborators on this conference, particularly the service users who shared their personal experiences but also to all of our other speakers for sharing their expertise.
Feedback
In each delegate pack there was an evaluation form which delegates were asked to complete before leaving. The results of this feedback were extremely positive with delegates giving the ‘Quality of the Event’ a 100% approval rating, 76% of whom rated the event as ‘Excellent’. Below is just a small sample of the positive comments that delegates left:
“Excellent range of speakers. Would be unfair to highlight individuals as all were excellent.”
“I was particularly impressed with the service users involvement.”
“A well-structured and organised day, thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“Service users input was excellent.”
“Extremely interesting and diverse.”
“Excellent range of speakers including service users.”
“The speakers were interesting and the topics were relevant.”
“The Knightstone presentation was inspiring.”
”Particularly enjoyed the presentation by Mary McMurran.”
“Dr Healy’s presentation was fascinating.”
“All speakers were brilliant.”
“Excellent and informative.”