Biographies

Rosario O'Connell, RN (LD), Dip He
Regional Executive Director, East Anglia

Rosario has worked in mental health and learning disability settings for 22 years. Over the years she has developed an extensive knowledge of the operational management, during a time that Partnerships in Care has significantly increased its number of beds across the United Kingdom.

A member of the Corporate Management Group, Rosario has been with PiC since August 1989. In the summer of 2001 Rosario was appointed to the position of Executive Director for Partnerships in Care Learning Disability Services. On 1 March 2010, she took up the post of Regional Executive Director for PiC East of England Services, based at St John's House Hospital.

Dr Sudeep Hoare, MBBS MRCPsych
Medical Director, PiC Learning Disability Services

Dr Hoare has been Medical Director at PiC Learning Disability Services since October 1996. Before joining PiC Dr Hoare worked as a Medical Director in the NHS.

His specialist area is in forensic psychiatry of learning disability. He trained in London, Cambridge and Norwich.

Fungai Nhiwatiwa, MSt (Cambridge), BSc (Hons), RN (Mental Health)
Nursing Director, PiC Learning Disability Services

Fungai has worked within PiC Learning Disability Services since November 1994. He has held various clinical and managerial roles within the company for the past 11 years. This included operational management of mental health, learning disabilities, women's mental health, personality disorders and rehabilitation units. He has also had hospital wide responsibility for security, clinical health & safety, management of aggression training, police liaison and various projects.

His specialist areas include: operational management of nursing and specialised residential services (SRS), occupational therapy/life skill and education service, and audit. Also has overall responsibility for security and is clinical governance lead clinician.

Fungai has presented papers at numerous UK and international conferences. He has also had research work published in the Journal of Psychiatric as well as Mental Health Nursing and contributed to book published on Reflective Practice. He has received an ENB Higher Award - Enhanced Practice in Mental Health.

John Forrest, RN (MH), RGN, MA Management Studies
Business Development Manager, PiC Learning Disability Services

John has been with PiC Learning Disability Services since November 1987. He is a trained learning disability and general nurse with 28 years experience in high secure and medium secure hospitals. In the last nine years as a Business Development Manager, he has used his management expertise and skill to manage referrals and admissions as well as improve and develop services for patients, staff and the business.

Alex Graham
Lead Senior Social Worker, PiC Learning Disabilities Services

Alex has worked within PiC Learning Disability Services since April 1998. Previously he worked as Senior Social Work Practitioner, Community Learning Disability Team and prior to that Team Manager, Community Learning Disability Team. Alex qualified with a certificate in Social Services in 1991. In 1995 he was awarded a 3rd year Advanced Certificate in Community Care Practice and in 2003 a Post Qualifying Award.

His specialist areas are in learning disabilities and mental disorder offenders.