Division profiles: Professor Angela Hassiotis

The article, which is also available online, covers Professor Hassiotis’ 20 years of practice and clinical research for people with learning disabilities.

Professor Hassiotis, who also works with Camden Learning Disability Service, published a ground-breaking paper in 2015 that examined the prescription of medical psychotropic drugs in people with learning disabilities

The article refers to this research, which found those who displayed aggressive challenging behaviour were being prescribed three times more psychotropic medication than those with mental health problems.

Professor Hassiotis’s team have now developed a treatment package for adults with learning disability who display aggressive challenging behaviour in the community. This intervention, called PETAL, will soon be tested in the NHS.

Professor Hassiotis has published more than 300 original papers, book chapters, editorials and reviews, and has contributed to the education and training of a wide range of professionals and researchers. 

She said: “In UCL and the Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, as well as the Camden Learning Disabilities Service, I have found many opportunities and a positive environment which has enabled me to pursue my goals in alleviating health inequities in the care of people with learning and developmental disabilities and reduce stigma and discrimination of this population group.

“I am delighted that Lancet Psychiatry has chosen to profile me. I am very pleased that this has happened for someone specialising in learning disabilities which I hope will show trainees that it is a great career opportunity.”

You can read the full article on the Lancet Psychiatry website

• Professor Angela Hassiotis' academic profile
• Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
• Camden Learning Disabilities Service