A Leicester consultant psychiatrist has received a prestigious national honour from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Prof. Mohammed Al-Uzri is an associate medical director and consultant psychiatrist with Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT).
In July he was appointed as the Royal College’s Presidential lead for international affairs.
He plays a key role in delivering its international strategy and overseeing its work abroad.
His Presidential medal, one of seven awarded at the College’s annual awards, celebrates his long-standing work for the College, in particular on international collaborations to improve standards of mental health care in the UK and overseas.
Projects include a successful national scheme he developed to offer overseas psychiatrists up to two years’ training in the UK before returning home to develop services in their own country.
More than 30 UK mental health Trusts, including LPT, have benefited from the scheme which is seeing take-up grow yearly as its success and reputation grows.
He is also an honorary professor at the University of Leicester, he teaches medical students and junior doctors, and promotes research in mental health. Through his work with Leicester University, he has also led an award-nominated programme to modernise undergraduate medical education in Iraq since 2010.
Prof. Al-Uzri commented: “Recognition is always welcome but it has special significance when comes from colleagues who have first hand knowledge of the importance, scope and challenges of the work. I am grateful to the LPT leadership for supporting me in doing college work over the years.”
Dr Avinash Hiremath, medical director for LPT, said: “I am delighted to know that Prof Al-Uzri’s long and tireless journey to further the cause of mental health in many of the underprivileged areas globally, has been commended so deservedly by no less than the President of the Royal College of Psychiatry.
“His keen interest in promoting frameworks that develop torchbearers of Psychiatry has improved the lives of scores of patients and their families. LPT has directly benefited from his endeavours, both in terms of staff and patient benefit as well as reputation. It is a matter of pride for us to know of this honour bestowed upon him and I wish him Hearty congratulations and the very best wishes for the good work he does to thrive and prosper “