His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, on Tuesday officially opened an adult outpatient clinic at Maudsley Health Abu Dhabi, a leading provider of quality mental healthcare services.

Maudsley Health is a joint venture between South London, Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Macani Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi, and forms part of the Duke’s visit to the UAE capital.

During the visit, The Duke of York learned about the progress that Maudsley Health Abu Dhabi has made in offering treatment and care for patients, and supporting families affected by mental health conditions since the service opened in 2015.

His Royal Highness toured the service in the company of the Chair of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Roger Paffard, and other senior dignitaries from the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Daman, Mubadala and the Department of Community Development.

The UAE and British governments have long enjoyed a good bilateral relationship, paving the way for continued strategic partnerships and opportunities for co-operation and trade. The British Royal’s visit bears testament to the significant growth in relations between the two nations.

Healthcare has been identified by the British government as one of the key pillars of investment into the UAE, with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust forging ahead with the development of mental health services in the UAE. This was made possible by incorporating clinical expertise, research and knowledge-sharing opportunities in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Macani Medical Centre.

Commenting on The Duke of York’s visit to Maudsley Health, the British Ambassador to the UAE, Philip Parham, said, "I am delighted that His Royal Highness has been able to mark the latest UK contribution to strengthening health services in Abu Dhabi. Maudsley Health, like other UK operators, is making a real difference to the lives of families and the wider community in this region."

Welcoming His Royal Highness, Dr. Martin Baggaley, Chief Medical Officer at Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, said, "It is an honour for us to host His Royal Highness The Duke of York on this momentous occasion, which serves as an opportunity for us to showcase our commitment to raising awareness of, and leading the national discourse on the impact of mental health issues in communities across the UAE.

"Maudsley Health Abu Dhabi continues the proud tradition of the oldest psychiatric institution in the world by providing high-quality treatment, research and training in mental health. We look forward to bringing forward more of our expertise as Maudsley Health expands its services and facilities beyond Abu Dhabi and the greater GCC region."