Aspen Medical is highlighting the need for stronger, more responsive mental health systems as World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10, emphasising the role of system-wide assessments, clinical expertise and patient feedback in improving care quality and safety.
The global healthcare provider recently delivered an advisory programme to assess mental health services across Abu Dhabi, covering inpatient, outpatient, forensic and rehabilitation settings. The assessments evaluated services against international benchmarks to identify strengths, inconsistencies and areas requiring improvement.
The review process included facility inspections, clinical record assessments and evaluations of governance, staffing, infrastructure, referral pathways, patient rights, quality indicators and digital systems. Interviews with executives, clinical leaders, frontline staff, patients and families also helped provide insights into care experiences and service delivery. Patient tracers were used in some cases to examine continuity of care across referral, treatment and follow-up.
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According to Aspen Medical, the programme established an evidence-based baseline for mental health services across the emirate and identified opportunities to strengthen regulatory standards and clinical governance.
“Strengthening mental health systems requires us to look beyond individual facilities and understand how people experience care across the wider system,” said Claire Westbrook-Keir, General Manager at Aspen Medical MEA. “By combining regulatory and clinical expertise, we have successfully identifed strengths and the opportunities for improvement for our clients. This creates a stronger foundation for practical, sustainable improvements in the quality and consistency of mental health care.”
The programme’s recommendations included clearer service standards, stronger regulatory oversight, improved coordination between providers, consistent workforce and safeguarding requirements, and greater use of outcome-based performance measures.
Aspen Medical emphasised that effective mental healthcare depends on continuous evaluation, appropriate clinical expertise and meaningful engagement with patients and families. The initiative highlights how systematic assessments can help translate evidence into practical improvements and support more consistent, patient-centred mental health services.
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