OBSERVER Local Hero Peter Brown has been nominated for a national mental health award in Parliament for his work in the borough.
Peter was crowned joint winner in the Observer-sponsored Local Hero category at the 2018 Solihull Together Awards alongside Norma Todd last month.
He came out on top for his work as service user governor at Solihull and Birmingham Mental Health Trust (BSMHFT) and chair at Solihull Mind.
Now his hard work and dedication has seen him put forward for the Patient and Public Involvement Award at the NHS70 Parliamentary health heroes awards by Solihull MP Julian Knight.
Peter has been a service user governor at the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust since 2007.
In this unpaid role he attends meetings of the Trust’s Council of Governors and its Board, as well as representing service users in job interviews for senior positions.
This work makes a real impact on the day-to-day work of the Trust. Peter led the way in calling for a review and reduction of the use of patient restraints, and our local NHS services have already made huge strides on an issue which is now the focus of major national attention.
When working for Solihull Mind he has helped secure funding for horticultural projects and helped extend the charity’s drop-in service to help those in need access support more easily.
The NHS70 website says the awards have been established to engage MPs in celebrating 70 years of the NHS, identifying and highlighting innovative and high-quality care across every constituency in England, and thanking staff for their dedication, hard work and commitment by recognising and honouring their achievements.
Local NHS England and Improvement teams are now making their way through nominations made by MPs in their areas, and will select one in each category to go forward to the national shortlist.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Parliament on July 4 – the day before the NHS’s 70th birthday.
Commenting on the nomination, Julian Knight said: “Peter Brown has shown extraordinary dedication to ensuring that local people facing mental health challenges have the care they need and deserve.
“He provides a powerful voice for patients inside our local NHS and, through Solihull Mind, an essential resources for residents too.
“Solihull is the town it is because of its amazing volunteer spirit, and I’m always glad of any opportunity to give a local champion the recognition they deserve.”
