New Grenfell boss promises to listen to fragile community
Deirdre Moroney is taking over
Julia GregoryLocal Democracy Reporter
The Grenfell community is still extremely fragile (Image: Getty Images)
The new boss heading up health care for people affected by Grenfell has pledged to spend a lot of time listening to the community.
Deirdre Moroney is taking over as associate service director for Grenfell and Talking Therapies for Central North West London NHS Trust.
She is starting her new role by getting to know North Kensington and the community whose lives have been changed by the tragedy in their midst two years ago.
She is taking over from Ross O'Brien who is moving to work in digital mental health.
Ms Moroney studied economics and politics before gaining a post-graduate qualification in health change management and has worked in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), at the Homerton Hospital in Hackney and in community services in south Essex.
She has just taken up her new role and said her priority is "understanding and listening to the community and trying to understand what are the particular issues and concerns that they have."
She said it is crucial that the Grenfell support is a "responsive service".
Deirdre Moroney, new Associate Service Director for Grenfell and Talking Therapies
"We will be continually screening people and getting them to the services that they need and always listening to the community and what they feel are the particular issues."
"People are affected at different stages and different times"
And she urged to get help whenever they need it, even if they have not accessed the service before.
"The nature of trauma means people can be affected at different stages and different times."
Westminster Council could hire people to spot those at risk of homelessness
She added that it is not always the people who are talking who need support and said the trust also needed the community and community leaders to keep helping to get the message out – and to help overcome any stigma about getting mental health support after the tragedy.
"There is nothing more powerful than the friends"
She is keen to get help to hard to reach and isolated people.
"The one thing I have seen and understood about Grenfell is just how amazing this community has been. They are the most important advocates in getting the message through.
"There is nothing more powerful than the friends or people who observe the changes that they are facing and enable people to access the help. They have been incredible."
Ms Moroney will continue to be involved in overseeing Talking Therapies across CNWL.
Grenfell Tower fire anniversary: Pictures from commemorations a year on
She said the trust has "an array of expertise in this area" including EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) which is designed to help people affected by trauma and trauma based CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy).
"We have got flexibility built in," said Ms Moroney, so if one therapy is not suitable for a patient they can try something else.
And the service has funding for the next five years, she stressed.
The 24 hour Grenfell Outreach team can be reached on 020 8 962 4393 or on 0800 0234 650.
Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day throughout the year on 116 123. CNWL has also just launched its Grenfell Dedicated Resource for the bereaved and survivors and people living in Grenfell Walk which is very close to the Tower. It sets out the dedicated help on offer, including mental health support, enhanced health checks and help for children.
Go here for NHS Grenfell response.
ldrcontent
WimbledonPolice launch investigation after man found dead in WimbledonRoads around the area are expected to be closed for a few hours
FloodingSouthwark station closed live: Burst pipe floods London Underground station and closes roadsTraffic around the area will be affected
City of LondonLondon Underground: What could be done to stop the 'thunderous vibrations' of tube noise intruding into people's homesIt's a problem in many parts of London but in some areas it's completely 'intrusive'
HillingdonNew dramatic pictures from Hillingdon Co-op ram-raid as thieves remain at largeNo arrests have been made
Food and DrinkHow Londoners can try the new Cadbury Creme Egg spaghetti for freeI'm pretty sure that's not how you eat yours
Music & NightlifeAn Evening with Blondie's Debbie Harry and Chris Stein is coming to London - how to get ticketsThe music icons will discuss the group's history
Jobs5 National Trust jobs currently on offer in and around LondonGetting paid to roam the countryside and visit spectacular gardens and stately homes sounds like a great job
CrimeWhat it's like living in the shadow of Belmarsh Prison
Belmarsh houses criminals deemed by the courts to be too dangerous to be roaming the streets