Local health worker commended by Government Minister

Rick was nominated for the commendation by Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion for his work with MIND and Sustain in Brighton and Hove.

Under Rick’s leadership, MIND has used the skills and experience of service users to evaluate the various recovery and substance misuse services across the city. He has also ensured that the clients of these services have a voice in decision making.

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion said:

“I am really pleased that Rick’s hard work and dedication has been recognised.

“Rick has been instrumental in reducing drug-related deaths in Brighton. He helped in a number of initiatives in which I have been involved, including the independent drugs commission to look at evidence based approaches for the city.”

At the celebration event hosted by Lord Victor Adebowale on the Terrace at the House of Lords, Rick was presented with a letter of thanks by Jane Ellison MP, the Minister for Public Health.

Rick Cook said: “It’s great to see the work that Mind and Sustain are doing in Brighton is being recognised nationally. We have reduced drug deaths in the city by listening to users and healthcare workers, looking at the evidence, and speaking to care providers to make sure they take account of their clients’ complex needs."

Rick currently facilitates a dual diagnosis peer support and consultation group in Brighton and Hove, which service users, ex-service users, mental health and substance misuse workers attend.

They help to review the drug commissioning priorities on an annual basis and are a valuable resource in providing feedback to commissioners on substance misuse strategies and reports/research and advising about service improvements.

Rick also facilitates a group called Sustain, which alongside other groups, acts to motivate substance misuse service users to regain and maintain control over their lives and to empower them to contribute to planning of services and challenge poor practice.

Rick also carries out research and in 2011 flagged that the needs of older drug users ought to be better reflected in the city’s forward planning, and that they have complex social and medical needs.

 

 

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