Publish date: 7 May 2026
Meet Helen Bickerton, medical workforce specialist. She’s a popular and busy member of the team, widely regarded by senior colleagues as a key source of wisdom in the delivery of medical education in the Trust. Helen supports the local academic programme and the MRCPsyc course. She’s organised the local academic programme for the last ten years.
And now, Helen has learned that she has been highly commended nationally at the annual awards of Medical Education Leaders UK. This body supports members to learn and share, giving practical educational ideas and policy advice. Helen was lauded in the category ‘support staff excellence’.
Helen told us she’s honoured by this recognition for her work over the last decade. She told us:
“I would like to sincerely thank Dr Indira Vinjamuri for nominating me; it has been a pleasure working alongside her to develop and enhance teaching for resident doctors, consultants, and the wider multidisciplinary teams.”
Dr Vinjamuri is Mersey Care’s Director of Medical Education. She said: “Helen is the backbone of our local academic programme which is award winning. It offers not only education and training but also opportunities for resident doctors to develop teamwork and leadership opportunities. Helen is at the centre of the department. I could not do my job with the same ease without her!”
Colleagues also took this opportunity to thank Helen. Consultant Dr Declan Hyland praised her support: “Well done Helen! We are all very proud of you and glad to have you with us!”
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Raj Madgula added: “In my interactions with her, I have found her to be a consummate professional, prompt, helpful and extremely efficient in her organisational skills and support for us doctors. Helen is also incredibly patient and willing to answer the same question no matter how many times we ask.”
Very well done Helen!
