A former psychiatrist at St. Brendan's has been appointed Chief of Psychiatry at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI).

Dr. Michael Radford was previously employed by Bermuda Hospitals Board as a consultant child and adult psychiatrist between 1974 and 1985.

"It is a huge privilege to be working at MWI again," said Dr. Radford.

"My colleagues all want to do more for mental health services, which are moving to more community-based programmes. Mental health professionals at MWI advocate the social inclusion of clients and support their personal autonomy, growth and responsibility."

Originally from England, he holds an MA degree from Cambridge University and a M.Phil. degree from London University's Institute of Psychiatry and the MRCPych (UK).

Dr. Radford contributed to the Masters course in the Philosophy and Ethics of Mental Health at Warwick University, UK, and taught Masters courses for the Social Studies Department at Birmingham University, as Honorary Senior Lecturer.

He has extensive work experience in mental health services in London and Birmingham, where he was a Clinical Director. Dr. Radford has also helped to develop the new National Service Framework for mental health in the UK.

He has also spent the past 12 years helping to run a voluntary mental health project in Bangladeshi villages.

Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has also announced the appointment of Dr. Chantelle Simmons as Consultant Psychiatrist, working on the Acute West and Turning Point services.

Dr. Simmons, a Bermudian, holds a Bachelor's degree from Queen's University and an MD from McGill University, Canada.

She completed a psychiatry residency and an addiction psychiatry fellowship at Emory University, Georgia, US, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.

Dr. Simmons said: "In my previous practice settings, patients were typically followed by one clinical team while in the hospital and referred to an entirely different service upon discharge. At MWI, I look forward to collaborating with patients and treatment teams on a long-term basis."

Patrice Dill, chief operating officer for MWI, said: "We welcome Dr. Simmons to the BHB team and are pleased to welcome back Dr. Radford.

"These appointments play a vital role in our commitment to service excellence. We are very fortunate to have hired such qualified, skilled and experienced healthcare professionals. We are pleased, as well, to employ a Bermudian candidate with such extensive training."