Dr Laura Pogue
Dr Laura Pogue
MBChB DCH DFFP MRCGP
I am a Director and the Chair of the Wellbeing Project CIC.
I am a GP having qualified from Liverpool University in 1993 and have worked in the North West since then. I became involved in Wellbeing when I began to specialise in mental health over 10years ago. Working in Primary Care and considering the ‘whole person’ approach it is vital to be aware of the many facets of our lives that contribute to a sense of Wellbeing.
I have been inspired over the years by organisations and individuals whom all share my view on wellbeing as a significant underpinning theme for satisfaction in our lives. I have been inspired by the work of NEF in particular their ‘Manifesto for Wellbeing’: “Wellbeing is more than just happiness. As well as feeling satisfied and happy, wellbeing means developing as a person, being fulfilled, and making a contribution to the community”
Professor Chris Dowrick, Liverpool University has been a strong influence during my career and his book ‘Beyond Depression’ is a fantastic source of common sense thinking for the world of uncertainty in primary care.
Dr Chris Manning, formerly of PRIMHE is a constant inspiration to us all working in any field of mental health and wellbeing and tenacious campaigner for improving patients lives.
My other inspirations and grounding for promoting wellbeing come from numerous other friends, patients, work colleagues and particularly from my travels round the globe and meeting other societies and cultures.
I have held numerous interesting mental health roles from the early days as a salaried GP specialising in mental health in a GP practice in Northwich; then working in a dementia clinic in Crewe. I then moved areas to work in St Helens implementing the NSF for Mental Health in St Helens and then redesigned my role to support the strategic developments for our local population, and working as part of a Mental Health Team in primary care where I continue to work as a GP with a Special Interest in Mental Health (GPwSI ). Over the last 5 years I have had some national and World wide acclaim for my work:
I became involved in The Wellbeing Project 2 years ago due to its strong philosophy and social approach to tackling wellbeing. It also enables a pursuit for creativity and partnership working without boundaries that can be present in other organisations. We believe that The Wellbeing Project truly promotes and sustains a sense of wellbeing with everyone that we engage with.
Contact: Dr Laura Pogue T: 01744 26444 E: Laura.Pogue@hsthpct.nhs.uk