Trust psychiatrist Dr David Somerfield appointed to national mental health role
We’re delighted to announce that Dr David Somerfield, Consultant Psychiatrist in old age psychiatry at our Trust, has been appointed as a national clinical lead for adult crisis and acute mental health care as part of the NHS England Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme.
In this role, Dr Somerfield will work alongside Dr Neeraj Berry, Consultant Psychiatrist and Group Medical Director at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. Together, they will support improvements in urgent and emergency mental health care across England, helping ensure people in crisis receive timely, effective support.
By working closely with local teams, the programme helps reduce delays, improve care pathways, and provide joined-up services that prevent mental health conditions from becoming more severe.
Dr Somerfield has been a consultant in old age psychiatry for over two decades and brings strong experience in leadership and service development. He previously served as an associate registrar in leadership and management at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, where he helped introduce the College’s Leadership and Management Fellow Scheme. He has led several large-scale service design projects and is passionate about using technology to improve care quality and productivity at our Trust.
Reflecting on his new role, he said:
“I am delighted to be joining GIRFT and look forward to working with colleagues to further develop our urgent and crisis care pathways, delivering the Urgent and Emergency Care plan and future NHS 10 Year Plan for the benefit of our patients.”
Professor Tim Briggs, Chair of GIRFT and NHS England National Director for Clinical Improvement and Elective Recovery, said:
“I’m delighted to have Neeraj and David on board… Their experience and knowledge will be invaluable in supporting trusts, ICBs, regions and other national teams to implement best practice in caring for mental health patients who arrive in urgent and emergency care.”
