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Blog posted by: Richard Andrews, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Healios, 07 February 2018.

Richard talks about the NICE endorsement programme and what it means for his organisation

Several years ago, my grandfather was diagnosed with dementia. I would visit him and he’d remember less and less with every visit; which you’re told to expect. What I didn’t expect was feeling completely unprepared to support him. I would love to say my grandfather’s case was a one-off instance in our health system, but after seeing other members of my family suffer, I recognised there was a gap between what people needed from their care, and what they were getting – that’s when I created Healios.

Healios is an organisation focussed on bringing exceptional mental health and neurodevelopmental services that fit into people’s everyday busy lives, anytime, anywhere. Partnering with the NHS, we’ve been able to carry out a range of mental health assessments of patients and offer them treatment for their conditions. The entire family is connected to a Healios qualified clinician through our innovative online platform and digital tools, available on any connected device. The high-quality support is personalised to their circumstance and needs. We’re then able to monitor people’s progress on these platforms. It’s hugely important to work not only with patients, but also with their family members and those critical to their well-being.

Applying for a NICE endorsement was an opportunity to have one of the most respected and internationally recognised clinical organisations, review our work and give us their seal of approval. The application process was straightforward, with clear guidance on what was needed at each step. We had leading mental health experts at NICE review and give their thoughts on elements of our work. Hearing their feedback was truly valuable. The recognition not only distinguished our services, but also gave confidence to NHS organisations, clinical teams and commissioners that our work is aligned with evidence based guidance.

The endorsement programme is a brilliant way for any organisation to get backing from a well-respected and established body like NICE and I would recommend, anyone thinking about the programme to put their application forward.