About us
Simmons House Adolescent Unit is an in-patient psychiatric unit for young people between 13 to 17 years of age. The unit has places for a maximum of 12 young people all of whom are resident.
The average length of admissions varies according to clinical need. Some young people admitted as emergencies may spend a few days or weeks on the unit: young people admitted for outcome-focussed treatment will usually be admitted to Simmons House for between six and nine months.
The length of stay at Simmons House depends on the young person's clinical needs and is decided in conjunction with: young people, parents/carers, referrers and the Simmons House team.
Adolescents and their families/carers receive an individually planned and structured treatment package combining as appropriate: psychiatric assessment and medication, family therapy (which is often videoed), individual therapy, occupational therapy, group work and education.
All young people should have a place to live during their time at Simmons House. The unit cannot be an adolescent’s home as adolescents should not have their home in hospital.
Our aims
The overall service that Simmons House offers is based upon evidenced based practice and the experience of the team.
We aim to provide a high-quality, multi-disciplinary mental health service for young people with emotional and mental health problems.
Simmons House gives priority to the needs of young people and, wherever possible, works in partnership with parents and/or carers.
We work in close collaboration with other child agencies to ensure the provision of the most effective service in the best interests of the adolescent.
We aim to provide a service which respects the gender, race, sexual orientation, and culture of all adolescents and families referred to the service. We try to ensure that these issues are actively considered in offering appropriate advice and treatment.
Our staff
Our staff
Clinical Staff
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Dr Paula Lopez, consultant child & adolescent psychiatrist
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Dr Neil Stewart, consultant child & adolescent psychiatrist
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Ms Jo Levitt, family therapist and clinical service manager
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Dr Abigail Swerdlow, ST5 specialty registrar in child and adolescent psychiatry
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Dr Leila Jamal, ST4 specialty registrar in child and adolescent psychiatry
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Dr Khadija Sesay , CT3 core trainee in psychiatry
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Dr Iain Hyndman, CT3 core trainee in psychiatry
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Dr Mashal Ifthitkar, CT3 core trainee in psychiatry
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Dr Teresa Bellido Bel, clinical research fellow
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Dr Jacob Clark, senior clinical psychologist
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Dr Sam Young, clinical psychologist
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Mr Euan MacLennan, assistant psychologist
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Ms Stella Syrpa, specialist dietician
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Ms Sophie Newbery, social worker
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Ms Julia Britton, child and adolescent psychotherapist
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Miss Lina Stavrakaki, trainee adolescent psychotherapist
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Ms Maxine Phelops, pharmacist
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Ms Martha Sanchez, medical secretary & MHA administrator
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Ms Keyauna Palmer, medical secretary & MHA administrator
Nursing Staff
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Mrs Nikki Alterman, matron
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Mrs Leah St Phillip, matron
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Mr Gary McStravick, ward manager
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Ms Josephine Ojinma, clinical charge nurse
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Ms Lucie Praglova, clinical charge nurse
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Ms Asun Garcia, clinical charge nurse
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Ms Skaiste Bautronyte, clinical charge nurse
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Ms Gelena Geits, clinical charge nurse
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Mr Riccardo Campodifiori, clinical charge nurse
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Mrs Suzanne Mckeown, clinical charge nurse
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Ms Hilary Goldberg, staff nurse
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Ms Karen White, staff nurse
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Ms Kirstin Little, staff nurse
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Ms Fola Dahunsi, staff nurse
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Ms Leanne Carver, staff nurse
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Ms Motunrayo Ogunlana, staff nurse
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Mr Luke Addy, nursing assistant
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Ms Nancy Onuma, nursing assistant
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Ms Morgan Ryce, nursing assistant
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Ms Eva Michaelson, nursing assistant
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Ms Natasha Vakil, nursing assistant
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Ms Lois McGuire, nursing assistant
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Ms Emily Macrdechian, nursing assistant
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Ms Lucy Heap, nursing assistant
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Ms Mara Pinto Neto, nursing assistant
Teaching Staff
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Ms Lorraine Coady, educational lead
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Ms Lauren Alborough, teacher
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Ms Rebecca Haughton, teacher
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Ms Lucy Reaver, teacher
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Mr Lewis Richards, mentor
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Mr Mike McMillan, musician
Trainees/Students
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Miss Tanya Tan Li Wen, trainee clinical psychologist
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Miss Ritika Sukhani, psychology assistant
How to find us
Here is a short video of the journey
By Car
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Woodside Avenue is marked in the maps above and can be approached from Highgate/Archway, Muswell Hill, Barnet via the A1 or Enfield and Haringey via the North Circular Road and Colney Hatch Lane. There some disabled parking facilities.
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By Public Transport
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The nearest tube stations are Highgate or East Finchley on the Northern Line. The 134 and 43 buses stop close to the Unit.
Useful links
Useful Mental Health Sites
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The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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The Royal College of Psychiatrists has a number of advice leaflets for young people and their carers.
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Quality Network for Inpatient CAMHS
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We are QNIC accredited,
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Young Minds
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Young Minds has information and links to many other resources for young people and their carers.
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RU-OK » Self-help for teenagers
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RU-OK is about you helping yourself - coping with common, and sometimes serious problems, as well as using your strengths.
The Law and Your Rights
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The Children's Legal Centre
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The Children's Legal Centre is a unique, independent national charity concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people
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www.childrenslegalcentre.com
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National Youth Advocacy Service
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NYAS ensures that the voices of children and young people are heard in all matters affecting them
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www.nyas.net
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Evidence-Based Practice Unit
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www.annafreud.org
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Choosing What's Best For You: What scientists have found helps children and young people who are sad, worried or troubled (2007)
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A booklet that explains the latest research in this area to children and families to help them make treatment choices.
Contact
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Simmons House 53 Woodside Avenue, London N10 3HU
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​020 3316 1751 / 1753 / 1754 (Office)
020 3316 1771 / 1772 (Nursing)
* Please note that the Nursing Team will be less available to talk at the following times due to handovers:
07:30 - 07:45 - Night to Early shift handover
09:00 - 09:30 - Multidisciplinary handover and planning
13:00 - 14:00 - Lunch time and Early to Late shift handover
20:30 - 21:00 - Late to Night shift handover