TO mark the past week's Autistic Pride Day (18 June), a specialist consultant psychiatrist has been appointed at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) to help ensure autistic patients receive mental health care best suited to their needs.

Dr Catherine Dakin is the first autism specialist consultant psychiatrist in Essex using her personal and clinical experience of autism to support neurodivergent patients of all ages receiving care in the community or on an inpatient ward.

Dr Dakin has shared her story of navigating life as a neurodivergent professional and advocate for patients who are autistic or suspected of being so.

 "My role involves helping clinicians view patient care through an autistic lens so that we work with patients to optimise their care and help them thrive.

 "We need to look at how we can provide care that is best suited to patients' individual needs; including changes we can make to patient environments on our wards to best support care, identifying additional community support that may be needed when a patient is discharged from one of our wards, and working with patients and their families to ensure they are fully involved in plans for their care."

Dr Dakin was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at 47 years old. Her personal experiences have shaped her career and driven her to advocate for neurodivergent patients within the healthcare system, enhancing care delivery and improving outcomes for autistic patients.

 She said: "I've had to work harder than most to navigate the world in a way that works for me. Understanding my own experience and the adjustments that make it possible for me to thrive is something that has been pivotal to my career.

 "As an autistic autism consultant, I am able to advocate for autistic people, ensuring that their voices are heard, their needs are met and that they are able to engage with mental health services.

"Working closely with my colleagues at EPUT, I can help implement strategies that lead to better care for patients while fostering an inclusive work environment for staff."

EPUT provides services to more than 100,000 patients at any one time and our staff are focused on providing high quality care in often complex situations.