I am a Clinical Psychologist and while I previously worked in a mental health setting, I have worked within physical health for more than 16 years. This has involved working within a number of health conditions but I am very much based in the Cardiac Service.
This means that I see people living with heart disease, often after a heart attack or heart surgery. It feels so important that someone has the opportunity to speak about what has happened to them – to help build strategies to manage in the future – and I feel lucky to work with people doing that.
I am also part of a small team of doctors and specialist nurses who run groups for people with angina. Seeing the changes that people make and their support for each other can be very rewarding.
Outside of work, being outside and particularly walking in the Pennines with friends or family is what makes me happy.