The day began with a warm welcome from Ben Davidson, Business Development Director at Cygnet Health Care, and Dr Sree Thamburaja, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Cygnet Hospital Clifton. In their opening remarks, the co-chairs reflected on the steering group’s discussions in August 2024, requesting a face-to-face forum exploring the increasing complexity of referrals, the changing approach in ICD-11 to diagnosis and the focus within a relational practice approach on the person and the service environment. It was from these discussions that the idea of the conference was born.
The first presentation, ‘Dimensions of Personality Disorder,’ was delivered by Professor Bo Bach of the University of Copenhagen and the Psychiatric Research Unit (Zealand Region). Professor Bach examined the impact of the ICD-11 classification system, which shifts focus from rigid diagnostic categories to dimensions, traits, and severity. His talk delved into whether this approach challenges traditional psychiatric thinking and demands a cultural shift in understanding personality disorders.
To conclude the morning session, Charlene McIntosh, Lead Psychologist, and Dr Mark Luffingham, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Cygnet Alders Clinic, explored the evolution of services in response to diagnostic complexity. Their session covered the intersection of ASD, emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) and complex trauma, and explored in some detail how the Cygnet Alders Clinic team have evolved to accommodate this complexity.
Delegates enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by the Cygnet Churchill kitchen, showcasing the culinary talent of the in-house catering team that provides food for the entire hospital.
The afternoon resumed with a compelling talk on ‘Recognition, Understanding and Differentiation of ASD and PD’ by Elissa Thompson, PhD Student at the School of Health Sciences, Jennie Parker, a Lived Experience Researcher and Trainer, and Kirsten Barnicot, Reader in Mental Health Services Research at City St George’s University of London. This session shed light on the many similarities but also differences between ASD and PD and far-reaching effects of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.
This was followed by a presentation on ‘Establishing a New Service on Relational Practice Principles,’ delivered by Dr Beth Harrison, Forensic Psychologist, Bethany Day, Assistant Psychologist, and Kerry a Service User, all at Cygnet Maple House. Their session demonstrated how relational principles are being successfully integrated into new services to enhance therapeutic relationships.
The final session of the day focused on ‘Enabling Environments and the Relational Practice Movement.’ Delivered by Rex Haigh, retired NHS Medical Psychotherapist, and Neelam Khawani-Connett, CCQI Assessor and Peer Advisor, the session explored how relational practice principles have informed mental health policy change over the last two decades, and sketched a range of initiatives that will extend the influence of relational practice over the decades to come.
Throughout the day, attendees also had the opportunity to explore six insightful poster presentations, each showcasing innovative approaches to care throughout Cygnet Healthcare:
The Use of Co-Produced Formulation Spaces to Strengthen Relationships in a Low Secure Male PD Service – Cygnet Hospital Clifton
A Case Study in Working with Male ASD/PD Dual Diagnosis – Cygnet Hospital Clifton
Exploring Co-Production and its Impact on Staff and Patients’ Lived Experience within a Forensic Setting – Cygnet Hospital Bury
The Diamond Framework – Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke
Seasonality and Deliberate Self-Harm in EUPD – Cygnet Acer Clinic
Upping Ward’s Enabling Environments Journey: The Experience of EE Accreditation – Cygnet Hospital Beckton
The day concluded with thanks to all speakers, presenters, and delegates, as the Personality Disorders Steering Group reflected on the event’s success. The group look forward to planning the next conference, set to take place in 2025.
The conference highlighted Cygnet’s commitment to advancing understanding, promoting best practices, and fostering co-production in the field of personality disorder care.
