Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust (CWP) is delighted to be shortlisted for two 2025 HSJ Partnership Awards. The Trust is recognised for its mental health initiative with suicide prevention charity, The Martin Gallier Project, and for the Neurodevelopmental Conditions Post-graduate Certificate (PgC), delivered in partnership with The Centre for Autism, Neuro-Developmental Disorders, and Intellectual Disability (CANDDID) and the University of Chester.
The partnership with The Martin Gallier Project, which is the first of its kind in the UK, was formed to help ‘bridge the gap’ for individuals presenting at A&E with thoughts of suicide or following a suicide attempt. People experiencing a crisis and seeking help through the emergency department or the CWP 24/7 Crisis Line are assessed by specialist mental health practitioners and, if appropriate, referred to The Martin Gallier Project, where an experienced suicide prevention specialist reaches out within 24 hours to offer one-to-one support.
Jessica Gallier-Booth, Chief Executive Officer at The Martin Gallier Project, said:“We understand that when people are at crisis point it is often impossible for them to take in information and untangle what comes next in their journey to recovery. We feel that offering non-clinical support at this important time is essential for people who might not have the emotional reserves to explore and understand the full breadth of support available to them.
“Each person receives a tailored service, based around their individual needs, including a safety plan. We work together on a recovery journey timeline and offer a safe alternative to emergency departments.”
Dave Appleton, Head of Operations for Acute Care and First Response Services at CWP, added:“Partnering with The Martin Gallier Project allows us to provide enhanced support and better after-care for individuals and their families following a mental health crisis -helping to reduce the risk of future crises.
“By working closely with our clinical teams, The Martin Gallier Project offers personalised, non-clinical support that tackles key challenges affecting mental health, such as social factors, self-esteem, and building skills for independence and healthy relationships. I’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved - we are united in our mission to improve mental health crisis care, and I’m absolutely delighted to see this partnership recognised by the Health Service Journal Awards.”
The Centre for Autism, Neuro-Developmental Disorders, and Intellectual Disability (CANDDID) and the University of Chester have been shortlisted in the category ‘Best Education Programme for the NHS’ for the Neurodevelopmental Conditions - Post-graduate Certificate (PgC).
The Neurodevelopmental Conditions - Post-graduate Certificate (PgC) aims to enable students to gain in-depth knowledge of current thinking and practices in neurodevelopmental conditions to incorporate directly into health and social care practice.
Professor Sujeet Jaydeokar, Consultant Psychiatrist, and Strategic Clinical Director, said: “We’re delighted that our collaborative programme with Chester University has been shortlisted. The Post-graduate Certificate is unique in that it is taught by clinicians currently practising in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders.
“As more people recognise neurodiversity and the skills needed to support neuorodivergent people, this course gives health and care staff the tools and confidence to provide the best possible care to the communities they serve".
The winners of the 2025 HSJ Partnership Awards will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at Evolution London on 20th March 2025.
The full list of nominees can be found at: https://
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, it is important to seek help immediately. Please call NHS 111 and select the mental health option to speak to a mental health professional. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Martin Gallier Project’s Wirral service is open 7 days a week, 9.30am till 4.30pm You can access help by calling 0151 644 0294 or filling out an access form.
