A CARE centre which opened a year ago has further expanded its team with two more senior appointments.

Malsis Hall, at Glusburn, has taken on Michelle Davis as care home manager and Dr Nadia Khurram as a clinical psychologist.

The facility, part of Enhanced Community Healthcare Options Group (ECHO), was set-up in a former boarding school and provides recovery and rehabilitation for people with mental health conditions and associated complex needs.

It supports up to 51 adults and has been taking referrals from local authorities and the NHS since it was established.

Over 70 clinical and operational support staff are now linked to the service.

Michelle said she was looking forward to joining a team focused on the rehabilitation of service users.

She originally qualified as a registered mental health nurse and developed her career through successive specialist NHS nursing positions, most recently working in a role supporting adults with dementia.

She said: “ECHO has created a beautiful and sympathetic facility which provides a great setting for recovery. I believe that the people supported by the service deserve respect and to be valued – and this role means I will be supporting individuals at the time when they need most support, which is a privilege.”

Dr Khurram qualified from the University of Leeds after completing her doctoral training and has three years’ post-qualification experience across different specialities, including health and forensic settings for adults.

She said: “I enjoy being part of a multi-disciplinary team.

“At Malsis Hall our patients and service users can benefit from a wide range of therapeutic interventions – carefully adapted for each person – and I’m looking forward to seeing the full impact of this long-term approach within a setting that can provide a pathway back to the community. Everyone has the potential to enjoy independence in their lives and we look first at the person inside, not the condition.”

The appointments are welcomed by ECHO medical director, Dr Steve Wilkinson.

He said: “Nadia and Michelle are both compassionate and skilled health professionals and we’re very pleased they’ve joined the team at Malsis Hall. The appointments have enhanced our services and demonstrate our commitment to our patients, service users and their families.”