Meet Kirsty Sturzaker, North West Clinical Fellow

The clinical fellowship scheme was established to develop clinical leaders for the future NHS. Kirsty is a clinical psychologist seconded into HEE as a Clinical Fellow for the Psychological Professions within the Psychological Professions Network (PPN).

Kirsty is a Clinical Psychologist by background and was successful in gaining one of nine clinical fellowships in the north west. With a background working in community eating disorder services for adults Kirsty now works directly with the Psychological Professions Network (PPN) and leads on a foundational evidence-based psychologically informed care training course for front line staff within her other role as Lead Clinical Tutor/Programme Manager at the Psychological Therapies Training Centre (PTTC) within Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH).

The 12-month clinical fellowship scheme is available to a range of professions on a part-time secondment basis and aims to develop clinical leaders of the future NHS. 

This year Kirsty joins other clinical fellows from a range of professions including pharmacy, medicine, nursing, midwifery, physician associates, anaesthesia associates and operating department practitioners, all leading on regional projects. Kirsty reflected that “the range, wealth and depth of experience in the cohort is staggering.” 

The clinical fellowship programme has 3 main broad objectives;  to enable clinical fellows to lead on key projects that contribute to regional and national priorities, develop a range of essential leadership skills and immersion within the strategic organisation to broaden knowledge and skills in this area. Kirsty said she is embracing the opportunity to show and share with others how the psychological professions can make a real difference , applying psychological principles and evidence to the whole of health care, from patient and staff experience and wellbeing, to leadership, organisational structures and beyond.  

The scheme includes a development programme with regular professional support, mentoring, leadership programme and shadowing of senior members of HEE staff. Kirsty is committed to focusing on her personal development, mentoring and linking experience and learning back to her Programme Lead role. She said the Mary Seacole Programme offered to fellows through the NHS Leadership Academy has been a highlight in developing her leadership skills.  

“Everyone at HEE and within the regional and national PPNs, has been so warm, welcoming and generous with their time to assist me in my orientation into HEE. The learning curve has been steep but fulfilling, and I have likened it to a return to university” – Kirsty Sturzaker 

The fellowship scheme is offered yearly and is a unique opportunity for clinicians to work within HEE regional teams to gain experience of system leadership, transformation, and service improvement, which will equip them to lead in a complex and integrated future NHS.

For more information about Clinical Fellowships contact the Programme Lead, Catherine Simm.