What happens when we stop separating mental and physical health and start treating people holistically?

In this second episode of London in Mind, host Dr. Estelle Moore speaks with Dr. Mark Barrington, Head of Psychological Services at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. With more than 30 years of experience in cancer and palliative care, Mark shares what he has learned about the crucial role of psychological care in improving health outcomes.

Together, they explore why a psychologically informed health and care system must recognise the inseparable links between mind, body, and lived experience, and how bringing psychological approaches into every part of healthcare could transform the NHS.

Listen to discover how psychological thinking can be part of everyday practice and why it belongs at the heart of the future of healthcare.

• Psychological Practice in Physical Health (PPN Discussion Paper)
• A PPN call to action for embedding psychological practice into physical healthcare, showing how a biopsychosocial approach can transform outcomes across long-term conditions.
• Fair Society, Healthy Lives (The Marmot Review)
• Landmark work on the social determinants of health, highlighting how inequality, environment, and community shape both mental and physical health.
• Integrating Mental Health Therapy into Primary Care (NHS England Guidance)
• NHS England guidance showing how therapy embedded in primary care supports people with long-term conditions, reduces demand on acute services, and improves patient experience.
• The Psychosocial Model of Cancer Care (Macmillan Cancer Support)
• Practical guidance from Macmillan on how cancer affects mental health, and why psychosocial care must be a core part of cancer treatment and survivorship pathways.

About Dr. Mark Barrington:

Mark is Head of Psychological Services of the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. He has had a 30-year career focussed on Psychology within physical health care settings. Primarily in cancer and palliative care but also with clinical roles in surgery and long covid. In 2013, he was appointed Chair of the Psychosocial Expert Reference Group for London Cancer overseeing collaboration of psycho-oncology services across north and central London. Most recently, chairing psychological leads of London’s acute and community trusts. A long-term interest in supporting the development of integrated care.

About the Psychological Professions Network

The Psychological Professions Network (PPN) is a multi-professional membership network commissioned by NHS England that brings together professionals, living experience advisors and partners from across provider trusts, integrated care systems, higher education and local communities, to champion workforce development and innovation to maximise the impact of psychologically informed approaches on public health and healthcare delivery. PPN London is focused on strategic initiatives and leadership to enhance mental and physical health...