25th February 2025 • My Family Our Needs

A new service, HealthCare In Mind, has launched across the UK. The service is dedicated to offering private autism, ADHD and mental health assessments and therapies.

The aim of this new service is to provide parents and families with the clarity they need without having to wait long periods.

Nearly 1 million children were referred to mental health services last year though, a referral does not mean a fast diagnosis. On average, NHS wait times for autism and ADHD assessments can take anywhere from 10 weeks to 10 years.

HealthCare In Mind’s new service aims to provide an alternative service to parents seeking answers. The service offers instant access to both remote and in-person appointments.

HealthCare In Mind has been produced by RMI, a global healthcare provider with over 20 years of experience delivering medical support globally.

It is led by Dr Simon Le Clerc MSTJ and Dr Kate Higham. They are joined by a team of psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists to provide help to those who need it as soon as possible.

Both Dr Le Clerc and Dr Higham, a specialist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Learning Disability Psychiatry, have many years of experience in providing accessible care.

Whilst the service is currently not free, Dr Le Clerc has expressed his ambition for the service to one day work with the NHS to support it in clearing the ever-expanding waitlists for diagnosis and support.

Dr Simon Le Clerc MSTJ, Medical Director at Healthcare in Mind, said ‘Understanding and supporting a neurodiverse child is crucial so our tailored assessments help children and parents work together to navigate their unique path with confidence and resilience.

‘We know that families are waiting far too long for mental health assessments and support. Our mission is to create a pathway for more people to access mental healthcare without the extended delays that are all too common in the UK currently.’

A psychiatrist for the NHS’ Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) that works with HealthCare In Mind, said, ‘Just having an understanding of how your or your child’s brain works can be really helpful. You can then understand their symptoms, they can understand what their strengths are and then play to their strengths.’

In other news, the local ombudsman request greater powers over SEND provision.