Dr. John Heffernan is the Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist at Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, advancing digital care through clinically driven innovation and frontline engagement.
Snapshot of Dr. John Heffernan’s Career Impact
Fusing Psychiatric Practice with Digital and
Educational Leadership
Dr. Heffernan’s career exemplifies a blend of clinical expertise, digital innovation and educational leadership. A qualified medical doctor since 2000, he specialised in general adult psychiatry with additional endorsements in addiction and rehabilitation psychiatry. His early work as a consultant community psychiatrist within the NHS grounded his approach in accessible, person-centred care.
He brings a strong commitment to learning and teaching, a belief in the role of art, design and innovation in addressing complex healthcare challenges. This ethos continues to inform his work across clinical services and digital projects. As a clinical educator at the University of Buckingham’s medical school, he has trained medical students, junior doctors, GPs and allied health professionals, championing the integration of education into everyday practice.
Heffernan joined Barnet Enfield and Haringey NHS Trust in 2017 as a consultant addiction psychiatrist. His clinical philosophy centres on empowering individuals to overcome substance use challenges and pursue personal recovery goals, recognising that every patient’s journey is unique. His evidence-informed approach draws on a range of psychotherapies, including motivational interviewing, psychodynamic techniques and mindfulness-based strategies.
In 2020, he was appointed CCIO at the Trust, where he spearheaded initiatives to align clinical workflows with digital tools, enhancing both the safety of patient care and the overall service delivery. Acting as a critical link between IT teams, clinicians and service improvement staff, he played a central role in modernising the Trust’s digital infrastructure. Currently serving as Associate CCIO, he is focused on developing a digitally engaged clinical workforce and supporting the next phase of digital transformation across the organisation.
Leading the Digital Future of Mental Health Care
Dr. Heffernan’s work is helping redefine how technology supports patient care in mental health settings. His focus lies in ensuring that digital systems work for clinicians and patients alike, improving access, safety and outcomes without compromising the human touch at the heart of psychiatry.
Beyond his clinical and informatics roles, Heffernan has contributed to research through randomized controlled trials, qualitative studies, systematic reviews and service evaluations, particularly in the field of addiction treatment and recovery. This scientific foundation informs his strategic thinking in digital service design.
Looking forward, Dr. Heffernan envisions a healthcare landscape where digital tools enhance clinical decision-making, enable more responsive care and preserve the therapeutic alliance between clinician and patient. For him, technology is not a substitute for empathy—it is a vehicle for scaling it.
As NHS advances toward a more connected, agile and patient-led future, Dr. Heffernan’s leadership will remain instrumental in bridging clinical practice and digital innovation to meet the evolving needs of modern mental health services.
Fusing Psychiatric Practice with Digital and
Educational Leadership
Dr. Heffernan’s career exemplifies a blend of clinical expertise, digital innovation and educational leadership. A qualified medical doctor since 2000, he specialised in general adult psychiatry with additional endorsements in addiction and rehabilitation psychiatry. His early work as a consultant community psychiatrist within the NHS grounded his approach in accessible, person-centred care.
He brings a strong commitment to learning and teaching, a belief in the role of art, design and innovation in addressing complex healthcare challenges. This ethos continues to inform his work across clinical services and digital projects. As a clinical educator at the University of Buckingham’s medical school, he has trained medical students, junior doctors, GPs and allied health professionals, championing the integration of education into everyday practice.
Heffernan joined Barnet Enfield and Haringey NHS Trust in 2017 as a consultant addiction psychiatrist. His clinical philosophy centres on empowering individuals to overcome substance use challenges and pursue personal recovery goals, recognising that every patient’s journey is unique. His evidence-informed approach draws on a range of psychotherapies, including motivational interviewing, psychodynamic techniques and mindfulness-based strategies.
In 2020, he was appointed CCIO at the Trust, where he spearheaded initiatives to align clinical workflows with digital tools, enhancing both the safety of patient care and the overall service delivery. Acting as a critical link between IT teams, clinicians and service improvement staff, he played a central role in modernising the Trust’s digital infrastructure. Currently serving as Associate CCIO, he is focused on developing a digitally engaged clinical workforce and supporting the next phase of digital transformation across the organisation.
Leading the Digital Future of Mental Health Care
Dr. Heffernan’s work is helping redefine how technology supports patient care in mental health settings. His focus lies in ensuring that digital systems work for clinicians and patients alike, improving access, safety and outcomes without compromising the human touch at the heart of psychiatry.
Beyond his clinical and informatics roles, Heffernan has contributed to research through randomized controlled trials, qualitative studies, systematic reviews and service evaluations, particularly in the field of addiction treatment and recovery. This scientific foundation informs his strategic thinking in digital service design.
Looking forward, Dr. Heffernan envisions a healthcare landscape where digital tools enhance clinical decision-making, enable more responsive care and preserve the therapeutic alliance between clinician and patient. For him, technology is not a substitute for empathy—it is a vehicle for scaling it.
As NHS advances toward a more connected, agile and patient-led future, Dr. Heffernan’s leadership will remain instrumental in bridging clinical practice and digital innovation to meet the evolving needs of modern mental health services.
