For almost 40 years, the UKPPG supported pharmacists working in mental health by providing educational resources and networking opportunities. In the year 2000, it established one of the first specialist pharmacist accreditation bodies when it commissioned the College of Mental Health Pharmacists. The formal merger in 2010 created a single organisation – The College of Mental Health Pharmacy – to focus on education, accreditation and research in the practice of mental health pharmacy.
STAFF MEMBER RECOGNITION
The NAPICU 2026 Awards will be held at the Gala Dinner hosted on Thursday 17th September 2026 at Radisson Blu, Glasgow.
Shining a Spotlight on Those Who Make a Difference
01
Who Can be nominated?
Any member from a Psychiatric Intensive Care Service who are members of NAPICU, can nominate a staff member for the recognition award 2026. Members of the NAPICU Executive Committee may not be nominated.
02
Judging Criteria
The multi-disciplinary panel of independent judges will shortlist the nominees based on written submissions. Short listed nominee will be invited to attend the conference and NAPICU will present the staff member recognition award winner at the Gala dinner on Thursday 17th September.
03
The Prize
The Staff Recognition Award winner will be presented with a trophy, certificate, and a voucher of with the value of £200.
How to nominate your colleagues
Applicants are required to submit a statement of up to 300 words in support of their nominee.
While nominations are open to all PICU staff in recognition of their dedication and hard work, we particularly encourage submissions that highlight colleagues who have achieved meaningful impact within their PICU. This may include outstanding contributions to team working, service development, innovation, or leadership that help shape the future of PICU care.
Nominations should clearly describe how the individual’s work demonstrates excellence, inspires change, and contributes to the ongoing development of PICU services, in keeping with the conference theme, “30 Years On: Shaping the Future of PICU.”
Closing date for nominations is Monday 25th May 2026
Shortlisted nominees will be contacted by Monday 8th June 2026
Please note: It is the nominator’s responsibility to ensure that the staff member being nominated is aware of their nomination.
While we appreciate colleagues may want to provide multiple nominations, each nominee will be considered once by the NAPICU Executive Committee. All testimonies submitted will be compiled and reviewed collectively, but only one nomination per individual will count toward the decision-making process.
previous Staff Recognition Award Winners
2024 winner
Cornelia Beyers from Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Her team said "Her dedication to patient-centred care is nothing short of inspiring. They bring compassion and empathy to every interaction, and have worked tirelessly to create a safer, more structured environment for both patients and staff."
2025 Winner
Takudzwa Ushe from Cygnet Healthcare. Her team said "They have championed projects such as reflective practice, community meetings and culture of care reviews initiatives that have enhanced psychological safety, improved communication, and strengthened co-production between patients, carers, and staff."
2026 winner
Who will be our 2026 winner? It could be someone you know. Submit your nomination now!
ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS OPENING 5TH MARCH 2026
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS
NAPICU will not accept any submissions after Monday 25th May 2026. Please ensure you submit prior to this date to avoid disappointment.
Showcase Your Work in PICU – Submit Your Abstract Today!
The NAPICU Annual Conference is your opportunity to present your research or practice-related projects in Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) and Low Secure Units (LSUs). Your work does not have to align with the conference theme—this is your chance to showcase valuable contributions to psychiatric care.
Submission Deadline & Key Dates
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Submission Deadline: Monday, 25th May 2026
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Shortlisted Applicants Notified: Monday, 8th June 2026
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Conference Registration Deadline for Presenters: Monday 3rd August 2026. Abstract Winners for Posters & Oral Presentation will be announce at the Gala Dinner Awards, please ensure you have a ticket to attend or a colleague can attend on your behalf to accept the award.
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Final Abstract & Photograph for Oral Presenters: Required before the conference.
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Final PDF Submission for Posters: Required for display on the NAPICU Conference App/Website.
Oral or Poster Presentation – What’s the Difference?
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Oral Presentations: 15–20 minute slots alongside keynote speakers.
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Poster Presentations: Displayed at the conference for judges & delegates to view throughout the conference.
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You can submit for an oral, poster, or both. Judges will determine the final format for each accepted submission.
Judging Criteria?
- Title: Does it accurately reflect the study and method?
- Introduction: Is it clear and relevant to advancing mental health care?
- Aims: Are the aims well-defined?
- Methods: Is the rationale sound? Are the objectives, design, and methods appropriate?
- Results: Are findings clearly presented and supported by evidence?
- Conclusion: Do the conclusions align with the findings?
Prizes?
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Oral Presentation Winner: £200
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Poster Presentation Winner: £100
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Winning submissions may be published in the Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care (subject to peer review, please note this is not guarenteed).
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Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner Awards on Thursday, 17th September 2026.
how to submit?
Prepare an abstract (350–500 words; max 350 if including a table or figure).
Choose a category:
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Research
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Quality Improvement
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Service Development
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Service Evaluation
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Other (provide details upon submission)
Use the required Abstract Template with the following structure:
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Introduction/Background
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Aims & Objectives
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Methods
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Results
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Conclusion
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References
IMPORTANT: Abstracts are reviewed anonymously—do not include author names or affiliations in the document.
Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner Awards on Thursday, 17th September 2026.
30 Years On: Shaping the Future of PICU
Join us to celebrate 30 year’s of NAPICU for our 2026 Annual Conference!
Start Your Conference Journey
Plan, Register, Participate...
It’s All Right Here
Please see below everything you need for the conference.
All in One Place!
Register your place
Registration opening soon
Get the best rates by register early. NAPICU early bird rates close on 30th June 2026.
Pre-Conference Training
This year NAPICU will be hosting 2 seperate Pre-Conference Training events on different topics. Make sure to register early to get into your Training of choice!
Abstract Submissions
Get involved with the conference by submitting your abstract for either a Speaker Presentation or Poster Presentation.
Staff Recognition Awards 2026
The return of the Staff Recognition Award 2026. Vote for a member of your team to be recognised for their hard work & dedication.
Conference Programme
From Keynote speakers to breakout sessions, our conference has it all. View our fantastic 2026 line-up!
2026 annual conference
Why Our Delegates Come Back Every Year...
Our annual conference brings together leading professionals, innovators, and partners for three impactful days of learning, collaboration, and professional development.
- Access to expert-led sessions and breakout sessions
- Networking with peers and organisations
- Hands-on learning through pre-conference training
- Access to sponsor demos and exhibition booths
- Awards & Social Networking Events
Our happy delegates
Bringing Together Professionals From Across the PICU Community
Each year, delegates come together to share ideas, present research, and strengthen professional networks. Hear directly from those who’ve experienced the impact of the NAPICU Conference.
Becky Howells
Sheffield health and social care NHS Trust
★★★★★ 5/5
“As always it was incredibly well run, thought provoking, relevant and highly useful. I always come away feeling inspired and part of a national PICU community. It makes me feel proud of the work we all do and also lots of ideas re changes/improvements.”
Emma Solomon
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
★★★★★ 5/5
“It is a fantastic opportunity for learning, sharing, meeting and networking with other inspiring people. Great moments for personal and professional learning and development, benchmarking strengths and areas for improvement in our own department areas, alongside a chance to let go and have fun with newfound friends and colleagues.”
George Lakatos
St Andrew's Healthcare
★★★★★ 5/5
“First time attending, really enjoyed myself and thought the whole event was exceptionally well ran. Interesting speakers that were engaged and passionate. All posters and presentations also clearly had a lot of work put into them, so well done to all.”
Delegates attended in 2025
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Delegate satisfaction Rate
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You ask, we answer
Frequently asked Annual Conference Questions
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NAPICU BESPOKE TRAINING COURSE
Your team. Your goals. Our tailored training.
NAPICU delivers customised courses to support your service.
How it works
NHS Trusts/Health organisation to provide venue, AV requirements plus lunch for trainers.
(If you wish for NAPICU Administration Office to manage Venue, AV & Catering please note this will be added to the course fee)
Trust/Health Provider to provide list of attendees in advance.
NAPICU will provide Trainers, training materials, certificates and cover all trainers travel, accommodation costs.
Minimum of 1 day training
Minimum number of delegates 50
After discussion with the lead trainer, a bespoke program would be developed for you.
Costings
Costings for your bespoke course will depend on your requirements.
Payment must be received in full before date of training.
1 Day Course
starting from £7,500
+ VAT
2 Day Course
starting from £20,000
+ VAT
Training Topics
Below is a list of suggest topics for bespoke training courses.
Medicines management of acute disturbance
The session will help clinicians to participate and learn the considerations of the risk of Covid19 in medicines management including stock shortages solutions and alternatives. Appropriately qualified and senior medical staff should lead ongoing formulation of a pharmacological treatment plan. This should occur with input from patients and the MDT.
(1.5 Hours)
Security and risk assessment during Covid19
The provision of a degree of security is one of the primary functions of the PICU. This needs to be counterbalanced with the need for a therapeutic clinical environment. The training session will offer clinicians the opportunity to review their model of security and how it can be integrated with dynamic risk assessment and management processes during covid19 focussing on Physical security, Procedural security and Relational security
(2 Hours)
Operations and clinical leadership during covid19
Management and leadership within a PICU are essential and symbiotic components in the establishment of the care ethos which the PICU holds. They are also fundamentally how this ethos is maintained within the clinical environment and therefore of great importance in the delivery of consistent and high-quality care. Aspects of management and leadership which need to be specifically considered in relation to PICU are discussed in this chapter.
(2 Hours)
Leadership during crisis
The training encourages participants to reflect on internal obstacles to values-based behaviour, particularly thoughts, feelings, sensations and urges that can ‘hijack’ behaviour. A skill cultivated across the session is the ability to notice, in daily life, when one is behaving in a way that is consistent with one’s values and when not (for example, when one’s actions are being controlled by thoughts, emotions or reactions to others that are not value-consistent).
(1.5 Hours)
De-escalation, PICU extra care areas, restraint and seclusion: how it has all changed during the pandemic
This session will review the impact of Covid19 on how clinicians use de-escalation techniques, PICU extra care areas, restraint and seclusion.
(2 Hours)
Mental Health Awareness Training for Carers
This Mental Health Awareness Training for Carers aims to break the stigma surrounding mental-ill health in the care services. The training also explores how to be helpful to someone experiencing a mental illness, while looking after your own health and wellbeing. It is an opportunity to develop practical skills in the areas of communication, problem solving and boundary setting, and how to talk to mental health professionals in PICUs and LSUs.
(1.5 Hours)
Health and wellbeing of staff
Poor mental health is now the number one reason for employee’s absence from work, with at least one in six workers experiencing common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression in any given week. NAPICU aims to enhance workplace wellbeing by raising awareness, sharing practical strategies and increasing confidence to support other healthcare colleagues.
(2 Hours)
Physical Healthcare in PICUs
The session will focus on the management of physical health in PICUs. The links between mental illness and poor physical health (e.g. cardiovascular disease and cancer) are well established and services should ensure that patients are routinely offered a full assessment of both physical and mental health needs.
(1.5 Hours)
Psychological PPE- supporting the staff
Our approach to the staff health and wellbeing PICUs is designed to support general physical wellbeing, collective psychological resilience within mental health services and the ability of staff to continue to work in high functioning teams.
(2 Hours)
Supervision skills for health care professionals
This course is aimed at anyone working directly with patients on the wards, and that have supervision responsibilities for other staff members. The course will help participants develop skills in supervision of their staff members and provide a systemic model of supervision practice. The course will enhance supervision skills so they can help their staff members work more effectively with clients. It will build compassion and skills of resilience in working with challenging patients.
(2 Hours)
How to work collaboratively in inpatient ward
This course is designed for anyone working on a ward. The course will help participants think about how to work more effectively with other professionals within the team. The course provides a systemic framework to think about how different teams work together. The course will look at skills in enhancing more collaborative team work and understanding the complexities of the staff dynamics. Skills around collaboration and appreciative inquiry will be explained to facilitate enhanced communication.
(2 Hours)
Working directly with complex adolescents
This course is designed to help frontline staff work more effectively with complex adolescents. The course will look at some of the recent theory around trauma and attachment in adolescents. In addition systemic questioning skills will be demonstrated to show how they can be used to work more effectively with adolescents. Feedback and collaborative practice will be used to help enhance the work.
(2 Hours)
Thinking about the family when working with adolescents
This course aims to help the staff team think about the family of the adolescent. The course will look at developing skills in genograms and thinking more widely about the systems around the adolescents. Skills in genograms and eco maps with be taught to the worker to develop frontline approaches in working with adolescents.
(2 Hours)
It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and the two trainers were very friendly and listened to everyone who had questions. 5* training.
The trainers were really good, patient and forthcoming. It was really useful to hear their examples of day to day practice and it was useful for them to do some myth busting.
The training was really informative and we all benefited from your knowledge and experience.
Roland Dix
NAPICU Editor in Chief
Seamus Watson
National Improvement Director, NHS England
Jules Haste
NAPICU Deputy Treasurer & Clinical Pharmacy Lead
Oana Ciobanasu
Consultant Psychiatrist
Click below to download
Volume 21, Number 1, April 2025 Editorial by Roland Dix, Oana Ciobanasu, Seamus Watson & Jules Haste.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
This is a preliminary programme and session times may be subject to change. Be sure to check back for the latest updates. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to register for the event to secure your place! Looking for details about the Pre-Conference Summit? Head over to our Summit page for the full programme and information.
"It is truly an honour to be recognised for something I am so passionate about. This is the first time the Skellern lecture has focussed on children’s mental health, and it comes at a pivotal time as we have seen young people’s mental health deteriorate globally over the last 15 years. It is vital that we get the right support in place for our young people and for the mental health nursing workforce which cares for them.”
Dr Celeste Foster, NAPICU executive committee member, has been awarded the 2025 Skellern Lecture. Celeste is the academic principal investigator of the NAPICU-CAMHS inpatient research project undertaken in partnership with the University of Salford.
This prestigious accolade celebrates exceptional contributions to developing mental health education, policy, practice and expertise.
The Skellern Lecturer Award, named in honour of groundbreaking mental health nurse Eileen Skellern, acknowledges individuals who have significantly advanced mental health policy, practice and expertise, both in the UK and internationally.
The Skellern Lecture is one of two Skellern award categories, alongside the Lifetime Achievement Award. Nomination and voting takes place among a panel of peers – made up of Skellern alumni, mental health nursing academics, researchers, commissioners and clinical practitioners.
Celeste is a child and adolescent mental health nurse and psychotherapist who has worked at the University of Salford as an academic and researcher for 21 years, first as a lecturer practitioner, then lecturer, senior lecturer and now associate professor. Celeste co-leads the mental health and neurodiversity research group in the Centre for Applied Health Research, in the School of Health and Society.
Her lecture will focus on her applied research examining and improving care quality, interventions and outcomes for young people with complex mental health needs, and the staff who look after them.
You can find out more information about the Skellern Memorial Lecture here [https://www.skellern.info/].
Important Details:
Date: Wednesday 17th September 2025
Registration Times: 10am – 11am
Summit Times: 11am – 5pm
Location: Buckingham Suite, Mercure Hotel, Northampton
Prices: Member Rate – £150pp / Non-Member Rate – £180pp
(Please note you can also book this as part of a package with the full conference)
Pre-Registered Delegates Only. You cannot show on the day to register for this event.
The NAPICU Pre-Conference Summit, will take place at the Mercure Hotel in Northampton on Wednesday 17th September 2025.
This year, our theme is “Legal Challenges in Mental Health Care: Navigating the Intersection of Law and Clinical Practice” led by experts Roland Dix, Thomas Kearney, Chris Dzikiti & Andy Johnston.
In an era of increasing legal scrutiny and evolving legislation, the intersection of law and clinical practice in mental health care presents complex challenges for practitioners, policymakers, and legal professionals alike. This National Summit, hosted by NAPICU, provides a critical platform for discussion on the most pressing legal issues impacting contemporary mental health practice.
The Summit will address pressing issues that shape the provision of safe, ethical, and legally compliant care. Attendees will gain practical strategies for managing legal risks, navigating ethical dilemmas, reviewing liability in high-risk scenarios and ensuring best practices in an increasingly litigious mental healthcare environment.
Key Themes:
🔹 Mental Health Legislation and case law Updates – How legal reforms and Key rulings are reshaping mental health service provision and clinical practice
🔹 Accountability & Liability – Managing medico-legal risks and professional responsibilities
🔹 Compliance & Regulatory Sanctions – Meeting CQC and legal requirements in mental health care
🔹Responding to Violence Against Staff – Legal protections, employer responsibilities, and best practices in challenging apathy
Legal Domains of Interest:
🔹Civil law and clinical negligence claims
🔹Criminal Law for Practitioners and Organisations (e.g. Health and Safety Breaches, Criminal Negligence)
🔹Criminal law in responding to alleged offences committed by mental health patients.
Featuring expert keynotes, case study analyses, and interactive panel and roundtable discussions, this summit is essential for mental health professionals seeking to stay ahead of legal developments, compliance demands, and evolving responsibilities in clinical practice.
Join us to gain critical legal knowledge, actionable strategies, and expert insights into the future of mental health law and care.
Secure your spot today and be part of this transformative event!
This year we have an exclusive sponsor for our Pre-conference Summit, we would like to thank Cygnet Health Care for sponsoring our first Pre-Conference Summit.
Find out more: www.cygnetgroup.com/
Sponsored by:
Welcome to the forefront of cutting-edge discussions in mental health and psychiatric care! Formerly known as our Quarterly Meetings, the NAPICU Scientific Symposium is a dynamic evolution, now happening two to three times a year.
Join us as we delve into various hot topics shaping the landscape of psychiatric and PICU (Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit) scenes. From groundbreaking research to innovative practices, each symposium promises to ignite inspiration and spark meaningful dialogue among professionals in the field.
But here’s the best part – YOU have a say! We invite all our esteemed members and colleagues to share their thoughts and ideas for future symposium topics. Your input helps us tailor our events to address the issues that matter most to you. Together, let’s shape the future of mental health care!
Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming symposiums and get ready to embark on an enlightening journey with NAPICU. Don’t miss out – mark your calendars and be part of the conversation that’s shaping the future of psychiatric care!
Join us for NAPICU’s third Scientific Symposium on Wednesday, 12th March, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM (times subject to change). This online event will focus on the complex management of autism and neurodevelopmental conditions within psychiatric intensive care (PICU) settings.
The symposium will provide expert insights into evidence-based clinical management strategies to enhance care for autistic individuals in PICUs. With guidance from world-leading specialists, delegates will gain tools to improve care delivery, foster better outcomes, and support autistic patients toward fulfilling and productive lives recovery within PICU settings.
This event is free for NAPICU members and available to non-members for a small fee. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding and practice in autism care within PICU environments.
Wednesday 12th March 2025
1.15 – 4.00 PM (times are subject to change)
Online via Zoom
Join us for an insightful Scientific Symposium hosted by NAPICU, delving into the critical topic of appropriate referrals of prisoners to Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs).
This engaging online webinar will feature presentations from esteemed experts across various sectors. Gain valuable insights from the Mental Health Casework Section (Ministry of Justice), which oversees approximately 8000 restricted patients diverted from the prison system into the hospital system. Learn about the Secretary of State’s powers concerning these patients and their implications for PICUs.
Furthermore, hear from NHS clinicians and service leads on the ground, offering firsthand perspectives on the challenges and complexities of assessing and managing referrals.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, exchange knowledge, and enhance understanding on ensuring the appropriate placement of individuals within the mental health and criminal justice systems. Register now to secure your place at this crucial event.
Wednesday 29th May 2024
1.00 – 4.00 PM
Online via Zoom
A message from Bernard Fox – NAPICU Director of Patient Representation
With the nationwide rollout of the Right Care Right Person (RCRP) model in the UK, there has been a substantial change in the way Police respond to mental health emergencies. While the Police assert that this model will free up resources for crime prevention, concerns exist about leaving vulnerable individuals exposed following the withdrawal of the Police’s emergency response service. How we evolve this change will affect the outcomes of patients we respond to and treat. Here we’re concerned with embracing RCRP as a Positive change, catalysing clear transition toward straight forward and ongoing improvement in crisis response and care.
NAPICU is pleased to host its Scientific Symposium for a comprehensive discussion on the development, implementation, and real-time implications of the RCRP model on mental health and emergency services. With fantastic speakers from Secure Patient Transport directors to patients by experience and many more! The meeting aims to gain current insights into the evolving landscape of mental health crisis response and address challenges arising from this new emergency response model.
31st January 2024 – 12.30pm to 4pm (Online)
For information on presentations from past quarterly meetings please contact the NAPICU administration office.
