Published Monday 7 November 2022

Since it began in 2020, the Hertfordshire Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Collaborative has developed a number of ideas, projects and services. We want to introduce you to what we've been working on, so you can see the kinds of improvements we aim to make in the community.

Who are we?

The Hertfordshire Mental Health Learning Disability and Autism Collaborative brings together the NHS, local government, voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sectors to deliver a shared vision – “Supporting people living with a mental illness, learning disability and autism in Hertfordshire to live longer, happier and healthier lives.”

Reducing the number of children and young people waiting for an ADHD assessment

At the moment, over 1000 children and young people in South and West Hertfordshire are currently waiting for an ADHD assessment, and over 400 have been waiting for more than a year. We brought together expert knowledge from different Hertfordshire organisations to design a new service that will tackle this backlog. The new service will mean that families do not have to wait so long for their assessment, and will get treatment, ongoing monitoring and support. 

We have had £1.4m investment in our new service in South and West Hertfordshire (covering St Albans, Hertsmere, Three Rivers, Watford and Dacorum districts/boroughs), which funds a team of specialist ADHD consultants to address the backlog of cases within the next year. ADHD consultants for the service are being recruited now. The money will also fund a 'GP-led Primary Care Monitoring Service' - that means that following a diagnosis, a family will have help to manage medication and support for a young person's physical and mental health needs.

Funding comes from the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board.

NightLight - a countywide out-of-hours mental health crisis service

Nightlight provides a safe, welcoming space for people who are feeling distressed and are experiencing a crisis. For more information, you can contact the Herts Mind Network team: nightlight@hertfordshiremind.org.

Piloting a 'crisis resolution' service

We are trialling a new service that supports adults who are going through through crisis. The patients are treated in their own home, with support available night and day, every day of the week. 

Supporting people to have their covid-19 vaccinations

We supported people with learning disabilities and serious mental illness to have their COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses.

Learn more or be involved

We are always looking for new ways to transform services in Hertfordshire. We have achieved a lot, and another focus of ours currently is employment opportunities for people with mental illness, learning disabilities and autism.

To find out more and get involved in improving care and opportunities for people with mental illness, learning disabilities, and autism, please contact Ed Knowles, Development Director for the Hertfordshire Mental Health Learning Disabilities Autism Collaborative at ed.knowles@nhs.net.