PRIORY GRANGE POTTERS BAR WELCOMES NEW CONSULTANT
15/2/10
Dr Sunil Kumar Raheja has been appointed as visiting Consultant Psychiatrist at the Priory Grange Potters Bar.
Dr Raheja will have practising privileges on the Hadley Unit, working with adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities who have complex needs including challenging behaviour and mental health problems.
He has been Consultant in Psychiatry of Learning Disabilities with Hounslow Primary Care Trust since May 2001. Dr Raheja has also acted as visiting Consultant Psychiatrist at the Priory Rookery Hove, a specialist therapeutic unit providing education and essential life skills for young adults aged 18 to 35 with Asperger's syndrome and associated difficulties.
Dr Raheja has experience in both management and teaching as well as lecturing to medical students and trainees for the MRCPsych exam on the psychiatry of learning disabilities. He is also an accreditated facilitator within the NHS for the Franklin Covey training programme on leadership and has developed two on-line training modules with the Royal College of Psychiatrists on managing stress and avoiding burnout.
In addition, he has been involved in a number of research papers, published reports and international presentations and has received a Medical Research Council grant to study Seasonal Affective Disorder.
The Hadley Unit helps to meet London and the surrounding area's need for local, accessible adult learning disability services. It has two gender specific floors providing a total of 14 spacious single rooms with en-suite shower facilities. Patients benefit from a therapy and activities room, a dedicated visitors room, laundry and kitchen facilities to develop daily living skills and a mini bus for social outings. The site has controlled access and dedicated gardens and offers easy access to the town centre, local colleges and leisure facilities.
The Unit’s aim is to help adults with learning disabilities to have control over their own lives, enabling them to become more involved in their local communities by living, working and enjoying leisure, recreation and education opportunities.
Dr Raheja said: “I am looking forward to working with the residents at the Priory Grange Potters Bar and being a part of the multi-disciplinary team involved in their care and treatment.”
Janet Pannell, hospital director at Priory Grange Potters Bar said: “Dr Raheja is a welcome addition to our unit.
“His expertise and experience will add a different dimension to the care programmes delivered by the dedicated team and enhance the service provided to our patients.”