Andy Newton; QAM, FCPara, BSc (Hons), PGCE, PGC, Dip IMC, MSc, MSc, PhD – Speciality Advisor
Andy Newton is an internationally recognised leader in paramedic practice, emergency healthcare education, and healthcare modernisation. With extensive experience in pre-hospital emergency medical services, he has held numerous prestigious roles, including Chairman of the College of Paramedics, NHS Executive Director, and consultant to multiple international healthcare systems.
Andy’s distinguished career spans over four decades, during which he has pioneered key developments in paramedic practice. Notably contributing to the design and regulation of pre-hospital care systems in the UK, as one of a small team that authored the original Standards of Proficiency for Paramedics and later assisting in other regulatory activities. He was appointed as the first full-time Paramedic academic in 2000 and the first NHS consultant Paramedic to be appointed in a role that was coupled with an executive position in 2005. His work was influential in the transition from training to education and the development of specialist practice for Paramedics.
Among his many accolades, Andy was awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Medal (QAM) and Fellowship from the College of Paramedics for his outstanding service to emergency healthcare. As a tireless advocate for the paramedic profession, his expertise continues to drive innovation and excellence within the field.
Andy holds multiple academic qualifications, including two MSc degrees and a PhD, and is actively involved in clinical practice, education, consultancy and medico-legal work, regularly acting as an expert witness. After undertaking post-graduate training with BSCAH he came to appreciate the enormous potential that knowledge and skills in the area of hypnosis could have in paramedic practice.
Andy joins BSCAH as a Speciality Advisor, bringing his vast knowledge in paramedic practice and a keen interest in developing clinical hypnosis, and healthcare education to support our ongoing mission to advance hypnosis in clinical care.
Dr. Charlotte Davies MBChB, MEd, FRCEM – Speciality Advisor
Dr. Charlotte Davies is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine with a longstanding interest in the use of clinical hypnosis. She has applied hypnosis informally in the emergency department to reduce patient and clinician stress, alleviate anxiety, and as a valuable tool for procedural sedation.
A passionate educator, Dr. Davies has been deeply involved in teaching healthcare professionals for many years. Her expertise in e-learning is exemplified by her Master’s degree in Education, with research focused on e-learning in paediatric resuscitation. As an experienced educator, she has contributed extensively to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s (RCEM) educational platforms, serving as a blog editor for RCEMLearning. Additionally, she holds the role of Foundation Training Programme Director, further demonstrating her commitment to professional development in healthcare.
Dr. Davies has supported the teaching of clinical hypnosis through BSCAH, both online and in face-to-face settings, sharing her knowledge and experience to enhance the skills of healthcare practitioners.
Dr Paul Slater: Speciality Advisor
Dr. Paul Slater has been a Consultant Anaesthetist at Northampton General Hospital since 2009. A strong advocate for the integration of hypnosis into medical practice, Paul completed his Advanced Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis and Stress Management in 2013 through BSCAH. He has since used hypnosis informally in daily practice to assist patients undergoing hospital procedures, helping them manage anxiety and stress. In 2022, Paul further enhanced his expertise by completing a 100-hour hypnosis training course with Dr. Michael Yapko.
Paul is deeply involved in teaching and promoting the use of hypnosis in healthcare. Over the past decade, he has lectured widely at anaesthesia society events and BSCAH seminars. He is committed to advancing the use of hypnosis in the NHS, having co-created a hypnosis resource webpage for patients at Northampton General Hospital and contributed hypnosis recordings to the Royal College of Anaesthetists website. His publications in anaesthesia journals reflect his ongoing research and teaching in this field.
Beyond his clinical work, Paul has initiated a hypnosis clinic to support patients with severe anxiety, particularly those preparing for surgery or childbirth. He is also leading efforts to develop a hypnosis fellowship program at his hospital, aiming to equip junior doctors with formal training in hypnosis. Paul’s dedication to making hypnosis a standard therapeutic tool in healthcare is evident through his teaching, research, and clinical practice.
Prof Peter Whorwell: Speciality Advisor
Professor Peter Whorwell is a world-renowned expert in treating disorders of gut-brain interaction, particularly Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). As a Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of Manchester, he has spent decades both caring for patients and leading cutting-edge research into IBS. His contributions have resulted in over 400 original papers and book chapters, covering everything from the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of IBS to innovative management methods.
One of his most groundbreaking achievements is the development of gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) for the management of IBS. Initially met with scepticism, Whorwell’s rigorous clinical trials have proven its efficacy, with over 70% of IBS patients reporting significant improvement or complete remission of symptoms after undergoing hypnotherapy. This approach, which focuses on using visualisation and relaxation techniques to help patients gain control over gut function, has been so effective that it is now recognised by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) as effective for the management for IBS.
As a Specialty Advisor for the British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis (BSCAH), Whorwell continues to influence both the academic and medical communities. His pioneering work has not only enhanced our understanding of gut-brain disorders but has also brought lasting relief to thousands of patients worldwide. His dedication and innovation in the field make him a key figure in transforming the way IBS and similar disorders are treated today.