Neil Brimblecombe becomes consultant editor of Mental Health Practice

One of the most influential nurses in the history of the NHS will add his expertise to the journal

Neil Brimblecombe has been appointed consultant editor of Mental Health Practice, taking over from Ian Hulatt, who is retiring from the role.

Mr Brimblecombe trained as a mental health nurse in the mid-1980s. After working in inpatient settings he became a community psychiatric nurse in central London. His main clinical career focus from then on was crisis resolution home treatment (CRHT) services, which involved him in establishing, running and researching early teams. He also edited the first book on CRHT in the UK, Acute Mental Health Care in the Community: Intensive Home Treatment, published by John Wiley & Sons.

Research interests include advanced clinical practice roles for nursing

Mr Brimblecombe was director of mental health nursing at England’s Department of Health from 2005 to 2008, and in 2006 he produced a national review of mental health nursing, From Values to Action: The Chief Nursing Officer's Review of Mental Health Nursing.

He then worked in director of nursing posts in various NHS trusts for ten years, latterly at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

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More recently he has again been involved in mental health services through roles including professor of mental health at London South Bank University, mental health clinical lead for the London Urgent and Emergency Care Collaborative and non-executive director for Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust.  

His research interests include advanced clinical practice roles for nursing, professional attitudes to smoking and international mental health services.

Named in RCNi list of 70 most influential nurses and midwives

In 2018 an RCNi panel named him in a list of the 70 most influential nurses and midwives in the 70-year history of the NHS.

Mr Brimblecombe said: ‘It’s certainly an honour to be stepping into the shoes of my friend and colleague Ian Hulatt, who has made such a contribution to mental health nursing over the years. MHP plays a vital role in helping nurses stay up to date with the news and clinical developments that will affect their work and outcomes for service users.

‘The past few months have shown just how vital it is for us all to understand the big picture and what is actually going on in services.’