A trainee psychiatrist has been shortlisted for a prestigious Royal College of Psychiatrists’ award for her work with Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT)
Dr Lesley Thoms will learn in November if she has won the coveted title of Core Psychiatric Trainee of the Year, just months after she was announced winner of the Trust’s own award for Core Trainee of the Year.
The national award recognises trainees undertaking clinical training whose achievements extend beyond what’s expected and her nomination by consultant psychiatrist Dr Mo Abbas, LPT associate medical director for postgraduate medical education, h ighlights exemplary work and commitment.
Dr Abbas praised her commitment to provide and drive quality mental health care and willingness to go above and beyond her role requirements to support patients and colleagues at the mental health units in LPT.
He said: “Dr Thoms is highly regarded by the teams she has worked in and noted for dedication and compassion towards patients. Alongside continuous professional development, she has continued to develop herself as an emerging leader and clinical educator and is everything you would expect of a high-performing trainee.
“The breadth and depth of her worked has surpassed our expectations and she has sought opportunities for innovation in her work. She has supported the development of a learning disabilities inpatient pathway, a junior doctor induction booklet, e-learning and psychiatric training programme evaluation projects, delivered workshops and collaborated with a senior lecturer on her second book.”
A graduate of Swansea University where she gained a Masters with distinction in leadership for health professions, Lesley has previously undertaken various research roles and earned a National Medical Director’s clinical fellowship, working on an innovative training programme.
Having completed her training rotation at LPT she is currently working on a PhD.
She said of her successful shortlisting: “I am absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted and thank my supervisors and all other staff in the teams I have worked with at LPT – without their support and encouragement, I wouldn’t be in such a privileged position”.
The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a special ceremony in London on 8 November. You can see the full details of shortlisted nominees on the Royal College’s website