I have known Andy professionally for just under 20 years. Over that time, both our roles have changed more than once, but in all our interactions I have always been impressed by his clinical knowledge, his broad range of experience and his ability to offer advice and effective solutions. Often this has been when faced with the sort of complex and high-risk circumstances that can provoke anxiety across MDTs and clinical teams. Andy’s expertise, sound judgement and calmness under difficult circumstances have been invaluable in moving forward situations that had become “stuck”. I should add that Andy is an excellent communicator and engenders both trust and respect in those that work with him closely.
My Leadership team were very clear on the calibre of professionals required to conduct such an extensive review of our acute care pathway. Andy and his multi-disciplinary team were extremely successful in delivering a methodologically sound review supported by systematic rigor and delivered in such a personable manner which was highly valued by patients and staff alike. His knowledge, expertise and his teams understanding of the evidence-base transformed our appreciation of how to improve our pathway and improve service user experiences by increasing the clinical performance levels of our teams. Andy leads a small network of ‘expert clinicians’ who have been involved over a 10-year period in supporting the development and improvement of a number of services clinically and operationally and I know him to be highly regarded in his field, being considered by many seasoned professionals the ‘go to’ person for advice, support or assistance. I feel privileged and proud to provide this testimony to an extremely valued professional colleague who has significantly helped shape and improve so many services in the UK and abroad.
‘’For many years now, I have called on Andy’s support when faced with complex service delivery challenges. His broad knowledge base and clinical skill have provided me with expert guidance and solution focussed thinking that is invaluable when striving to achieve high quality care. Andy’s range of skills has provided support in a wide range of areas such as service redesign, policy development, training programmes and complex incident reviews. His professionalism, flexibility and creative thinking are crucial elements to have in any service delivering complex care’’
I was introduced to Andy during a time of deep personal distress as a close family member had become suddenly very unwell. Andy quickly demonstrated a deep level of understanding and empathy in relation to my personal situation, and also a level of clarity about solutions and options available and the relative benefits and risks of each option, that was not provided by any other organisation or ‘expert’ I spoke to. Andy very quickly won my trust and became the person I referred to and referenced for advice continuously during the treatment process for my family member. His knowledge and personal network in this field built over the last few decades is incredible, and I and my family benefited from this immensely, and we continue to have ongoing relationships with professionals in this field that Andy has recommended. Andy was always completely honest with me, and my personal experience of his knowledge, recommendations, and the professional institutions that Andy has been associated with over recent years has been without exception very good. I have without hesitation recommended Andy to others who have experienced similar situations.
I have known Andy professionally since 2005 and from our very first meeting, Andy has exemplified himself as a very distinguished Nurse Leader, mentor, collaborator, network mastermind, operational lead, researcher, trainer, trail blazer, investigator and peer inspector of services.
Andy worked and supported services that I led on several occasions and has always left our teams more knowledgeable and enthused than they were before he arrived. Andy is ‘that’ colleague who would answer your call for support or advise no matter the enormity of the task. He has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to improving mental health outcomes and advocating for staff, safety, innovation, improvement and co-production at every level. To conclude, over the years I have known Andy, I have concluded that every Mental Health Leader needs an “Andy” to survive the demands of the modern-day service delivery.
I have known Andy Johnston for nearly two decades, initially as my Clinical Director he demonstrated clear-sighted vision and was instrumental in how secure services as a whole could function most effectively and safely with the accessible scaffolding support from senior management. Since this period, I have worked with Andy Johnston in a variety of independent inquiries involving NHS Mental Health Trusts and in developing an international
training programme in relational practice to support health and prison services to provide effective and safe custodial and rehabilitative services. Andy Johnston is a thoughtful, relationally accessible and able professional with a high degree of integrity. Over the course of my working relationship with him, he has displayed a consistent and high-quality understanding of complex organisational disturbance and how best to facilitate inclusivity in working-through such processes. It remains a pleasure and privilege to work with Andy Johnston.
‘’I have worked alongside Andy on national working groups and projects seeking to raise standards of care, to which he gives his time generously. Andy has also directly coached my team on highly complex areas such as supporting people very unwell with eating disorders. Andy brings a wealth of experience and skills from his clinical background and as a senior leader. He has a real passion for improving the wellbeing of staff and patients and is always willing to give his time to listen and share’’
“We believe that Patient and Staff experience has been improved and we have been very happy to have worked closely with AndyJohnstonAssociates in the development of these initiatives”
I have had the pleasure of working with Andy professionally for over three years in my role as Clinical Director. During this time, Andy has provided invaluable mentorship and guidance, supporting various projects and governance projects. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the modern healthcare economy and systems have been instrumental in driving our quality initiatives forward.
Andy has supported me in numerous ways. His involvement in chairing clinical governance and consulting on safety standards has been particularly impactful. Andy’s strategic thinking and ability to manage multi-professional teams have ensured that our projects are well-rounded and delivered to a high standard.
Andy’s approach to problem-solving and decision-making is clear and assertive. He is accessible and approachable, making him a dependable figure in times of uncertainty. He consistently displays humility and a genuine concern for the well-being of those he works with. One of Andy’s most valuable qualities is his availability for advice, backed by an extensive history in healthcare. This breadth of knowledge and expertise has been crucial in guiding my teams and me through complex challenges.
Andy’s career is marked by a commitment to service user and carer involvement, underpinned by effective staff development and he has supported us in delivering those key tenets.
Throughout his career, Andy has demonstrated a profound commitment to improving mental health outcomes and advocating for staff safety, innovation, and improvement. His work at AndyJohnstonAssociates, supporting quality improvements, regulatory compliance assessments, and complex clinical assessments, has been recognised nationally and internationally.
In conclusion, Andy’s mentorship and support have not only enhanced our projects but have also contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth. His commitment to high standards of care and his ability to foster a positive working environment make him an exceptional colleague and mentor.