Sara Robinson, NHS Deputy Director for Medical Education, appointed Penumbra Chair
Sara Robinson has been appointed Chair of the Board for Penumbra Mental Health. Sara is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine and is currently the Deputy Director for Medical Education in NHS Lothian.
Penumbra Mental Health trustees play an important strategic role in developing the organisational goals that help guide our journey as one of Scotland’s largest mental health charities. Sara has spent her career working in the NHS, in a number of leadership roles and is keen to bring her skills and experience to the new appointment. As Penumbra Mental Health embark on a new strategy next year, Sara reflects on her time in the NHS and the developments she has led:
“My line management and clinical experience has led me to push for better services and support for staff and patients with mental illness. The introduction of the Navigator programme to Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary and our collaborative research on trauma informed care in the emergency care environment, is improving the experience of all who come in to contact with the NHS, patient and staff alike.”
Staff engagement and wellbeing are a core part of Sara’s leadership vision, she added:
“I am part of a core team that designed, developed and implemented a staff Peer Support Service for NHS Lothian and associated health and social care partnerships. The service has proved immensely vital and has trained over 200 members of staff in peer support.”
Sara joins Penumbra Mental Health at an exciting time, as our historic charity approaches its 40th anniversary. Mike Burns, Penumbra Chief Executive comments:
“I would like to thank Sara for taking up the role of Chair after several years serving on our Board. Sara has worked alongside our previous Chair, Colin Briggs, taking the organisation successfully through a period of change and setting us on the road to deliver our services to those most in need across Scotland, while facing the current challenges in Health & Social Care. Penumbra staff and Board are looking forward as we approach our 40th anniversary in 2025.”
