RETIRING CHAIR Q&A
Chris Dzikiti, Strategic programme manager for the Transforming Care Programme in NHS England, speaking at the launch of the Design Guidance for Psychiatric Intensive Care Units 2017 publication jointly developed by the DiMHN and NAPICU to fill what the two organisations believed was a ‘gap’ in existing guidance.
JG: The most notable achievement has been in moving the Network from a local, North-West-centric network, to a nationally and internationally recognised organisation. Our conference and exhibition have also contributed to our most notable achievements. 2013 saw the first of these take place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull, working with our organisers, Step Exhibitions. Over the years both the exhibition and the number of delegates attending have grown year on year, and in 2019 the decision was taken to move to a larger venue, which could better accommodate us. We moved to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, a move which again proved successful. We had hoped that 2020 would again see a growth in attendance, but COVID-19 appeared, resulting in the event’s postponement until 2021.
Awards evening and publications The highlight of the conference and exhibition is our Awards Dinner, where we recognise some of the wonderful innovations taking place in mental health across all areas. Each year the standard of entries is raised, and more and more entries arrive.
In 2016 we signed an agreement to work in partnership with the National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care
Health Building Notes (HBNs) and Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs), including a foreword in HBN 03-02 CAMH, have helped to raise the organisation’s profile, as, of course, has our joint venture with BRE, which is detailed elsewhere (see The Network – July 2020).
JB: How well do you think the DiMHN has grown its membership in recent years, and what has been the key to doing this?
Highlighting one of a number of well-produced DiMHN guides published in recent years.
and Low Secure units (NAPICU) on Design guidance for Psychiatric Intensive Care (2017). The publications produced by our Research Workstream within the ‘Design with people in mind’ series have been very well received, and are an important contribution to the mental health information available. Further joint working with NAPICU has followed, with our research academics researching the uses of seclusion spaces and their impact on patient and staff wellbeing and satisfaction. Unfortunately, this work too has become a victim of COVID-19, but will hopefully recommence at some point. The Network’s involvement in the
JG: Membership has grown year on year since the introduction of a formal membership scheme in 2014. The exhibition has certainly assisted in encouraging membership within the commercial sector and other sectors. Membership is free for the NHS, service- users and carers, academics, and others. There is a range of benefits available for all types of members. Commercial members may take advantage of discounted exhibitor packages and access to the annual conference and exhibition, use of the DiMHN member logo on company websites, listing in the membership directory on the website, access to the members’ zone with useful resources, and discounted advertising rates in this publication. Our other members benefit also from access to the members’ zone, discounted access to the
Addressing guests at the annual awards dinner in 2019. 12 JANUARY 2021 | THE NETWORK
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