Thursday 6 November 2025
The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), the professional body for psychiatrists in the UK, held its annual awards today to celebrate the very best in clinical practice at all levels of the field.
This year, colleagues from our trust were awarded the top prize in the Psychiatric Team of the Year: Older-age Adults Award category.
The trustwide mental health services for older people (MHSOP) clinical network group was presented with the prestigious award for developing a new clinical model.
The model was recognised for its co-creation with staff, patients and carers through open discussions and partnering to make sure their needs shaped the outcome.
The dementia care pathway now follows a flexible, person-centred approach aligned with the Dementia 100 self-assessment tool, while the delirium pathway has been simplified into a clear one-page guide to support early recognition and faster intervention.
Dr Mani Santhana Krishnan (Krish), consultant in old age psychiatry/liaison psychiatry and specialty clinical director for mental health services for older people (MHSOP) who is part of the group said: “It feels amazing to have national recognition, it’s a great win for us!”
President’s Medal honour
Dr Krish was also honoured with the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ President’s Medal.
In its fifteenth year, the President’s Medal is designed to honour and offer gratitude to those who contribute to policy, public knowledge, education and meeting population and patient care needs in diverse and challenging circumstances.
Dr Krish is one of nine people who was presented for continuing to make significant contributions to improve the lives of people with mental illness.
Congratulations to Dr Baxi Sinha, consultant psychiatrist for the Stockton adult community mental health team and deputy medical director for international recruitment, who was shortlisted for the Psychiatric International Medical Graduates (IMG) Champion of the Year award.
Well done to Dr Ranjeet Shah, Durham, Tees Valley and forensic care group medical director, who was also shortlisted for Psychiatrist of the Year award.
The awards were held at the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ offices in London on Thursday 6 November.
