Publish date: 23 February 2024
A leading mental health nurse, who boosted apprenticeships at AWP, has been nominated for a lifetime-achievement honour.
Learning and Development Manager Tony Westacott, who joined the Trust in 2001, is a finalist in the 2024 Our Health Heroes Awards. The proud dad, 51, is up for the Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Healthcare award.
Having begun his career as a Healthcare Support Worker, he then became a registered Mental Health Nurse. In recent years, Tony has held a series of learning and development positions, plus management roles. Among his many achievements, he helped to spearhead the launch of a new apprenticeship programme, which has seen 500 staff engage with a range of schemes, for career progression.
Tony has witnessed many positive changes during his long service at AWP. He said: “The growth of mental health service provision at AWP has been staggering, particularly in regards to specialist services.
“The most rewarding aspect of the job is to see people achieve their goals through education, particularly those who have overcome a number of challenges to get there."
As well as being an advocate for apprenticeships, Bristol-native Tony has also played an important role in helping to develop the Trust's organisational values.
Paula MacLeod, AWP's Head of Learning and Development, said the Trust's apprenticeship programme could not have achieved the success it has, without Tony's leadership.
“He uses his kind and caring nature to get people involved and on side," she said. “People want to work with him and listen to his suggestions because he is empathetic, knowledgeable and highly skilled across all areas of our Trust. Tony remains calm under pressure like no one else we know."
The Our Health Heroes Awards are sponsored by NHS England, NHS Employers and more. Winners will be announced at a special ceremony held in London on 16 April.
