Alexandra Penfold

Qualifications

Dip in Mental Health Nursing, Provisional Member of Expert Witness Institute

Specialisms

• CAMHS
• Acute In-Patient Mental Health,
• Suicide & Self Harm,
• Medicines Management 

Introduction

I qualified as a registered mental health nurse (RMN) in 2013 and began my career as a staff nurse in an adult acute inpatient mental health hospital. I have worked across a broad range of adult mental health services such as Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHTT), A&E liaison services, medical assessment units, psychiatric intensive care units (PICU) and secure inpatient services. Since June 2022, I have been working for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) sector. In April 2024 I also began working as a bank staff nurse across adult acute and PICU inpatient services.

I am highly experienced in delivering the fundamental aspects of mental health nursing, such as care plans, risk assessments and risk management. My specialist areas include personality disorders, autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s syndrome, psychotic illnesses, and mood disorders.  I am highly knowledgeable in matters related to pharmacology, medicines management, Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, engagement and observation, responding to violence and aggression, record keeping, clinical governance, physical health monitoring and infection control. 

I have strong leadership and management skills and have led projects on wards such as interventions to reduce restrictive practice and improve patient and staff safety. I have an excellent understanding of the professional standards of registered nurses under the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct.

I accept instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors and insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to expert witnesses.