Sharons' innovation honoured with award

Dr Sharon Smith, 44, has been named Advanced Psychiatric Trainee of the Year 2010 by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, a recognition that represents the highest level of achievement and excellent practice in the field of psychiatry and mental health. She was presented with her award by Sir Neil Douglas, chairman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

Dr Smith said she was "pleased and honoured" to have won the award, adding that it was especially gratifying to have been nominated by her colleagues. "This is a really big deal for me," she said.

The award was given to Dr Smith for her innovative work on a psychiatric clinic for diabetes patients. The clinic applied the principles of liaison psychiatry, which deals with the ways physical and mental illness interact, seeking to address issues such as unexplained symptoms and depression in diabetes patients. The clinic was undertaken without funding from the NHS.

"I think the main reason I won this award is because I just get on and do things," she said.

Dr Charles Swainson, medical director for NHS Lothian, said: "This is a magnificent achievement for Sharon. She has demonstrated considerable talents well in excess of those normally evident from someone in her position."

As well as working with patients at three Lothian hospitals - St John's, the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the Western General Hospital - Dr Smith's work takes her across the country, training other doctors and nurses dealing with diabetes patients and attending lecturing engagements.

Born in Wales, Dr Smith had an international upbringing, spending much of her childhood in the Middle East before settling in Troon, Aberdeenshire.

She first moved to the Lothians to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh, then a PhD in artificial intelligence before undertaking an MSc in psychiatry. After jobs that took her to Holland and Australia, she returned to begin training as a GP.

A posting in psychiatry during this training led her into the field, although Dr Smith says: "I've always been interested in the brain."

Dr Smith and husband Jeremy have three children, aged six, 11 and 15. "Having three kids, a dog and a couple of cats takes up most of my free time," she said.

She nonetheless finds space in her life for hillwalking, cooking for friends, and what she describes as her 'vice' - playing bingo.

Dr Smith made a point of expressing gratitude towards her employers for allowing her to pursue her professional goals alongside her busy home life."One of the great things about the NHS is that it gives you the flexibility to achieve lots and still have a family."

Now that her training is almost at an end, Dr Smith plans to find a consultant's position and set up a website to share the findings of her work.