Support worker Philippa wins award for advocacy work
Congratulations to Philippa Brewer from our Frequent Service User Team, who has been awarded a Co-occurring Conditions Champion Recognition Award by Kent County Council (KCC).
Philippa received the award for her advocacy work, supporting people who live with both mental health needs and addiction, a combination that often results in them becoming some of the most frequent attenders at A&E.
Working with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals, Philippa supports people who can find themselves trapped in a cycle. Many use drugs or alcohol to cope with their mental health. In turn, this worsens their mental health and can lead to repeated crises and multiple attendances at emergency departments.
For years, services struggled to support these individuals effectively, because mental health teams and drug and alcohol services often worked separately. Philippa has been part of a drive to change this, becoming a Co-occurring Conditions Champion.
She works closely with colleagues across services to bring teams together, advocate for joint assessments and make sure patients receive properly coordinated care.
Philippa said: “A lot of our patients are some of the most complex and most chaotic. They bounce between services and often fall through the gaps.
“Co-occurring conditions need to be recognised as one picture, and we need to work holistically. That’s what this work is all about.”
Her work includes identifying when people may have alcohol-related brain injury, bringing professionals together, and ensuring no one is discharged from support because of the severity of another part of their condition.
As well as the certificate, Philippa received a voucher as part of the award, just in time for Christmas.
She said: “I love what I do and while I don’t find celebrating myself easy, it’s lovely to get recognition of the impact our work has had.”
