More than 100 attendees from the Trust and partner organisations gathered at Mary Ward House in Euston on September 12 2025.
Workshops and presentations explored a range of themes structured around the importance of psychological professions in helping the NHS deliver its 10-year plan and its three shifts: moving to preventative care; more integrated, personalised care and a stronger focus on digital enablement and technology.
Psychological professionals are a core part of the NHS workforce, with more than 1,000 employed within by ELFT and up to 100 trainees on placements across all directorates at anyone time.
Trust colleagues were joined by partners from Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), the voluntary sector, local authorities, NHS England and primary care.
Keynote speakers were ELFT Chief Executive Lorraine Sunduza OBE and Dr Navina Evans CBE, former ELFT Chief Executive and former Chief Workforce, Training and Education Officer at NHS England. Navina spoke of the rigor of scientific knowledge which underpins psychology, and the value for money of interventions that promote independence.
The conference was opened by outgoing ELFT director of psychology Dr Ravi Rana and closed by her successor, Dr Patricia Potter.
Patricia said the importance and interplay of co-production, partnership working and working with experts by experience shone through on the day. She thanked presenters, which includes experts by experience, for showcasing the ways in which their work has achieved this in a meaningful way and how effective working this way can be.
“The psychological professions' knowledge and understanding of all types of human behaviour, relationships and motivation is as important in how we design and deliver services, helping staff to work in new ways, as it is in helping service user make changes to live independent and fulfilling lives in their communities. When applied well, it can look like common sense” she added.
One of the day’s presenters Mary Kneafsey, assistant director client services for Providence Row Housing Association, said afterwards: "I wanted to thank you for all your support that you gave to us prior to the event and on the day.
“I also wanted to share that Gerry (hostel resident) is still telling anyone who will listen to his story. He was proud of the video and that he was given the opportunity to attend. Thanks for the opportunity afforded to him.”
She added: “Thank you for your continued belief in us, your encouragement and that we can show the amazing benefits that can be achieved with support from psychological professions.”
