Dr John Bainton

MBChB, MSc(Oxon), PgCert CBT, MRCPsych

My background

I’m a Consultant Psychiatrist for adults, and I’ve been working in the mental health field for over 15 years. 

As a consultant psychiatrist I specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and management of all mental health problems in adults, using medication, social interventions, and psychological therapies as treatment options.

I hold a full time permanent Consultant Psychiatrist post in the NHS in London, where I work in a Home Treatment Team for people with severe and acute mental health problems to offer an alternative to hospital admission. I am also the Associate Medical Director in my NHS trust, providing the medical leadership for inpatient services at the Maudsley Hospital, Liaison Psychiatry services at King’s College Hospital, and mental health crisis services in Southwark.

Previously I was a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist in the NHS in London, where I worked in a general hospital helping people with emergencies in the A&E department and wards, and I specialised on supporting the mental health of people with long term physical health problems like diabetes or kidney problems. I also worked a lot with people who have persistent physical symptoms for which a cause is not yet fully identified, and people experiencing Covid and complications of this. 

My training and experience

I trained in core and higher psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital in South London, and I am on the General Medical Council’s specialist register for General Psychiatry (GMC: 7017636).

I am a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

I specialised in psychopharmacology during my Masters in Pharmacology at the University of Oxford. This means I have completed extra academic training in the use of psychiatric medications.

My medical training was at the University of Liverpool and Maimonides Medical Centre, New York City. I have worked in a number of national specialist services, including the National Affective (mood) Disorders Service, and the National Conduct, Adoption and Fostering Service, both at the Maudsley Hospital. 

In addition to my psychiatric training, I made the decision to train as a specialised psychotherapist in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London. I have also trained in other psychotherapy methods, including psychoanalytic and psychodynamic, group, MBT and family therapies. 

I am an Approved Clinician meaning I have been approved by the Secretary of State under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act, as having special experience in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorder. This means I am able to take the lead on helping people who are very unwell and who are admitted to hospital under the Act. 

Outside my clinical work

Originally I’m from Wales, and in addition to work as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, I am also an experienced executive coach. I have previously held roles in leading postgraduate medical education as a Royal College Tutor, and in leading undergraduate medical student education as an Academic Clinical Sub-Dean for the University of Southampton in Dorset Healthcare. I train and supervise other doctors and medical students for the Medical School at King’s College London, and I run training programmes for Physician Associate students.

In my spare time I enjoy singing, theatre, travel, contemporary art, and reading.