Andrew James Norton
and Associates
BIOGRAPHY
Andrew has over thirty years experience working in health care and health-related education. Following an education in Chemistry, he qualified as a Registered General Nurse in the United Kingdom. He worked in an Accident and Emergency setting before undertaking post-registration training in Psychiatry. Taking a position in a Community Drugs and Alcohol Service, he helped to establish Needle Exchange schemes, Community Methadone Consumption Clinics, and Primary Care detoxification programmes.
Continuing his education, he attended courses in HIV and Drug Use at The Maudsley and Bethlem Hospital; HIV Counselling at St Charles Hospital; Counselling Skills Training at Durham University, and St George’s Hospital Medical School, where he was awarded a Master’s of Science (MSc) degree in Addictive Behaviours. His dissertation focused on the attitudes, values, and beliefs of community staff in relation to HIV and substance use. As such, he brings a focus on stigmatizing behaviours to his training.
He was granted the status of Visiting Lecturer in Addictions at Teesside University. He developed several elective modules for Psychiatric Nursing and Allied Professionals, as well as Certified courses for post-secondary students, while continuing to practice as a Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for the local Health Authority.
Since relocating to Canada, he continued his Nursing Studies, gaining Registered Nurse status in British Columbia, with a focus on integrating Mental Health and Addictions work.
More recently, his focus is on training professionals, allied, and community members in Suicide Interventions.
He is a fully registered and licensed Trainer for safeTALK, ASIST, and Mental Health First Aid (see courses on offer for a fuller description) and a Consulting Trainer for LivingWorks.
He is also a Coach Instructor for safeTALK, which enables him to lead Training for Trainer events.
Recently retired, he continues to coordinate the organisation and delivery of ASIST training for Island Health as a casual employee and also mentors newly trained individuals in ASIST. He provides ongoing support to trainers employed or affiliated with the First Nations Health Authority on Vancouver Island.