Fauzia Khan, Assistant Psychologist at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is in the running for two prestigious awards next month in recognition of her commitment and dedication to her patients and colleagues.
Fauzia, who works in the Trust’s Sandwell Older Adults Enhanced Community Mental Health Team, is a finalist in the West Midlands Putting People First Award at the Great British Care Awards in Birmingham on 5th November.
The award seeks to celebrate individuals who have embraced the ‘Putting People First’ agenda and demonstrated an innovative approach to empowering people so they can have more control over the support they need in their lives.
Fauzia has been nominated for her dedication to help improve patient’s experience and to support patients in their recovery journey.
She is also passionate about helping colleagues and has worked on providing wellbeing sessions, mental health awareness workshops and mentoring for her peers.
If one award was not enough, Fauzia is also in the running for the Outstanding Mental Health Care Professional Award at the Mental Health and Wellbeing Awards, which take place virtually on 14th November.
Nominations are made by the public and the award recognises mental health professionals who have a made a real difference through their work.
Lydia Jones, Director of Therapies at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Fauzia is a true ambassador for the psychological profession supporting both patients and colleagues, proactively and passionately, and sharing skills and learning across the Trust and further afield through psychology journalism."
Fauzia joined the Trust, which is now the lead provider for mental health, learning disability and autism services in the Black Country, in 2016. Since then, she has worked in both urgent and planned care services for both adults and older adults.
Ann Detheridge, Older Adult Divisional Lead Psychologist, at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I have known Fauzia for many years now and her dedication to improve the quality of care that our patients receive is second to none.
“Not only this, she has been involved in improving the working lives of staff through the many wellbeing projects that she has worked on over the years, always sensitive to the needs of others and working as a team. I’m sure that we will all join in celebrating her success - well done Fauzia!”
Outside of her role within the Trust, Fauzia is also actively involved with her local British Psychological Society branch. She has also been exploring psychology journalism to raise awareness around topical issues and debates within the field.
Celebrating her nominations, Fauzia said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been both nominated and shortlisted as a finalist for the Great British Care Awards Putting People First Award and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Awards. To be able to support and help people is a privilege in and of itself, and to be nominated for such an award really is an absolute honour.
“I would like to acknowledge all the people that I have had the honour of crossing paths with in my work - thank you – this is for you!”
Fauzia will find out if she has been successful in winning both the awards in November, at the respective award ceremonies.