Dr Jackie Craissati appointed as Chair of KMPT

Dr Jackie Craissati has been appointed as substantive Chair of Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), confirms NHS Improvement.

Jackie’s appointment as Chair will be in place until 31 March 2023.

Jackie joined KMPT’s Board in May 2016 and is a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist by profession, having previously been appointed as Clinical director of the forensic and prisons’ directorate at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. Jackie is also an Independent Governor on the Board of the University of East London.

Following 26 years in the NHS, she left in January 2016 to set up her own not-for-profit community interest company, Psychological Approaches CIC, offering consultancy and training to those working with complex mental health and offending behaviour.

Jackie retains a role as consultant advisor to the national Offender Personality Disorder Pathway and as an independent investigator of serious incidents for NHS England. She is a strong advocate of evidence-based practice and is a researcher and author in the field of criminal justice. Jackie also has a special interest in developing innovative and evidence based partnerships for the community reintegration of individuals with complex psychological difficulties who may otherwise suffer social exclusion and poor outcomes.

Jackie is delighted to be appointed as substantive chair for KMPT and said: “KMPT is a wonderful organisation to be part of, and I am excited to be appointed as Chair. Everyone on the Board is so proud of how the staff are working during these challenging times, and I know that this team spirit runs through the organisation’s core and is one of its very great strengths. It will be an honour to lead the Board over the next few years.”