CNWL celebrate decade of child psychiatry in Spain

This month marks a decade of joint work between CNWL and Imperial College in helping establish specialist Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Spain.

The two organisations have run a fellowship programme – currently hosting its 15th fellow – in association with the Koplowitz Foundation, since 2004 during which time Spanish Fellows undertake two year fellowships in clinical practice and research.

Dr Paul Ramchandani, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at CNWL, said: "Things are progressing well in Spain to the point where Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is now newly recognised as a speciality and training within Spain is now being established.

"This should make a real difference to the quality of care provided to children and young people with mental health problems, as they will be increasingly able to access specialist care and expertise. Previous fellows from the programme have been integral in helping to establish this, so I think CNWL and Imperial can be proud to have played a small part in supporting this international development."

Through the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Research Group at Imperial College and CNWL's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) at Westminster and other Trust CAMHS sites, Koplowitz Fellows have gained experience and training in clinical and research practice in this field.

Many have gained further qualifications and prizes; including PhDs, teaching diplomas and research prizes from British and European organisations.

The programme was set up by Prof Elena Garralda who wanted to help establish child and adolescent mental health as a speciality in Spain.

Prof Paul Matthews, head of the Division of Brain Sciences at Imperial College, said: "Imperial College has been proud to partner with Central Northwest London Mental Health Trust in research and for training of the Koplowitz Fellows over the last decade. We hope that this outstanding group of young clinicians will strengthen links between Spain and the United Kingdom to improve mental health care for children and adolescents."