The Priory, which operates the largest independent network of mental healthcare hospitals and clinics in the UK, is expanding services in Southampton meet a growing demand for autism diagnoses.

Its Wellbeing Centre has relocated from the city centre, where it successfully launched in 2016, to larger premises, providing greater access to diagnostic services, treatments, and therapy sessions, particularly for autism.

As of March this year, 157,579 people were waiting for an autism assessment in England, according to NHS data – a 35% increase on the same time last year.

And National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance currently states that no-one should wait longer than three months between being referred and first being seen.

Separate figures from mental health charity, YoungMinds, also show almost one and a half million children were referred to mental health services in 2022 – up 79% on pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

To meet the growing demand along the South Coast, the Wellbeing Centre – now on the site of Priory’s former Manor Clinic – will provide a greater range of consultant and therapist-led outpatient services.

Located in Mansbridge Road, the centre has eight large rooms for group therapy sessions, and a garden space for outdoor activities.

Clare Gask, clinical lead at the centre, said; “Our team is delighted to be opening this much needed clinic to allow swift assessment and treatment.

“For those living on the South Coast, we know there has been a gap in provision for many patients for some time.

“Our ethos has always been to promote the importance of early assessment and diagnosis and we hope that by offering a friendly and discreet service that is accessible and convenient, we can play an active part in supporting and navigating our patients towards a better quality of life and long-term recovery.”

The new centre provides outpatients with access to one-to-one therapy, group sessions, and evidence-based treatment methods, such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).