Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has appointed Dr Danielle Eaton as its new Chief Medical Officer following similar roles at Network Rail where she was Head of Health and Wellbeing and the NHS.

She is head of a team of 16 occupational health clinicians and staff at Govia Thameslink Railway, which also has mental health support and an Employee Assistance Programme available to its employees and an online Health and Wellbeing hub.

Dr Eaton says she has been passionate about healthcare from a young age, and to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week she has decided to tell her story.

I had exposure to the healthcare system from an early age because unfortunately, I was quite poorly as a child. Although the medical professionals I dealt with were very knowledgeable, I felt that they lacked empathy. At eight years old, being in and out of hospital was a scary experience and I craved some compassion.

When I was 15, I got a job at a pharmacy to build up my experience before I went to university to study medicine, where I started working in the NHS clinically. In my 11 years at the NHS, I covered a range of roles, such as emergency medicine, surgery and general practice. Being part of the NHS is incredible – you get to help so many people and can potentially turn people’s lives around. It was an amazing and humbling experience, but it was very tough at times, especially working on the frontline during Covid.

In 2021, I decided to change paths and bring my expertise to a technology health company, where I worked for two years before joining the railway. I’ve always had a fascination with the railway, so when I saw an opportunity to help improve people’s health within the industry, it was a no-brainer.

Mental health really is equally important as physical health. We are becoming far more aware of our mental health and how different lifestyle choices can impact our minds, both positively and negatively.

The mind is intrinsically linked to our gut and is this is something I discuss with patients and colleagues. Your diet can have a huge influence on your overall health, which is why I advise people to choose diets that are rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts and legumes, as they are linked to improved mental and physical wellbeing.

We often see the people we work with every day, and it becomes so routine that it’s easy to forget to ask someone how they are truly feeling. Although I am still new to GTR, I am trying to meet with my team and explore the wider business as much as possible because it’s important to feel connected.

Dr Danielle Eaton

To maintain a positive mindset, Dr Danielle Eaton recommends:

1. Ensure your body gets the sleep it needs – most adults need between 7 and 9 hours every night.
2. Try to reduce screen time. Phones and computers can affect sleeping patterns, so try to stop using them an hour before going to bed.
3. Spending time in nature helps alleviate mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Try to make time for fresh air or a quick walk.
4. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle with moderate exercise and a balanced diet.
5. Spend time with others. Having dinner with friends, meeting new people through a hobby, and socialising can all help to boost mental health.

Other train operators, including ScotRail East Midlands Railway, and Avanti, are also making mental health awareness a priority.