Who will be responsible for your care

Dr Matthew Debenham – Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Debenham is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Cygnet Hospital Godden Green acute inpatient service for women in Sevenoaks in Kent.

Completing his MBBS at London University in 1989 he then moved on to Mid Kent accomplishing his Senior House Officer training in 1993. His core training was with South East Thames registrar rotation and he became a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1996 concluding his specialist training in general adult psychiatry in 2000.

With over 30 years’ experience in Psychiatry, he has worked in a range of settings within the community and acute inpatient environments. He has extensive experience in assessing mental capacity and is an approved practitioner Section 12 (2) of the Mental Health Act 1997.

In 2020 Dr Debenham retired from the NHS taking up the post of as Medical Director at Cygnet Beckton and then went on to join Cygnet Hospital Godden Green in 2021.

Dr Debenham provides senior clinical leadership and expertise to the Multidisciplinary team at Cygnet Hospital Godden Green. Supporting the team to deliver evidenced based individualised treatment to patients to support them in reaching their recovery goals to empower them to manager their illness and live their daily lives.

Dr Matthew Debenham is available to see self-funding patients.

Dr Asif Bachlani - Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Asif Bachlani is a General Adult/Neurodevelopmental Consultant Psychiatrist and Divisional Medical Director for private services at Cygnet Health. He was awarded UK Psychiatrist of the year by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2024. This was in recognition of his work around Neurodevelopmental disorders, digital psychiatry, and population mental health.

Previously clinical lead for the Autism/AuDHD pathway at Priory Woking Hospital, where he developed the 1st private diagnostic pathway for Autism within the Priory Group. This pathway has been subsequently rolled out across all Priory private hospitals and Wellbeing centres.

Asif has held various managerial and digital positions in the NHS and independent sector including Clinical Director, NHS London Clinical Lead for Mental Health Outcomes and Chief Clinical Information Officer. Between 2022-24, he was Associate Non-Executive Director (NED) for Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust with his portfolios being data, digital, and quality. From 2013 – 2016 Asif was Trust Lead for Adult ADHD and developed NEL CAMHS to AMHS Transition Pathway in North East London NHS Trust. In 2023, he became Vice-Chair of the NHS Benchmarking Mental Health, Autism and Learning Disability Reference Group.

In 2011 Asif was a Single Point of Access consultant in North East London Foundation Trust between 2011-17, where he treated patients between the age of 18-70 years old. He then joined South Kingston CMHT (South West London St Georges Trust) where he treated patients between the ages of 18-70 years old, with recurrent mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders. Asif set up and developed the Kingston Personality Disorder Pathway to meet the needs of the local population.

In 2002 Asif graduated from the St Bartholomew’s and Royal London Medical School with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and BSc in Clinical Medicine. He completed his psychiatric training in Hampshire and Dorset achieving MRCPsych in 2008. He also completed his CCT in General Adult Psychiatry with sub-speciality in Liaison Psychiatry in 2011. In 2012 he completed his Diploma in Medical Education with University of Winchester. In recognition of his commitment to promoting excellence for patients and field of psychiatry, he was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (FRCPsych) in 2019.

Dr Asif Bachlani is available to see self-funding and insured patients.

Dr Ewa Okon-­Rocha – Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Ewa Okon­-Rocha is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Cygnet Churchill in Southwark, London.

With over 30 years in specialist psychiatry, she brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge in general adult psychiatry, rehabilitation psychiatry and liaison psychiatry to her patients. In October 2024 she became a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. An approved practitioner Section 12 (2) of the Mental Health Act 1997 Dr Ewa has extensive experience in assessing mental capacity.

Dr Ewa has worked in various clinical settings within the NHS and independent sectors including acute inpatient, community, and forensic, as well as rehabilitation services in London and Kent. She is Autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) and Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA) trained and experienced in assessment and treatment of Autism (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). She treats a wide range of mental health difficulties such as Depression, Anxiety, Bi-polar, psychosis and burnout. Her aim is to support her patients to reach their full potential by providing bespoke tailored inpatient treatment that meets their recovery goals.

Responsible for providing clinical leadership to the multidisciplinary team for the private acute service, on Palm ward. She will lead the team to deliver patient-centred and evidenced-based treatment promoting resilience, to empower patients to manage their mental health.

Dr Ewa Okon­-Rocha is available to see self-funding and insured patients.

Dr Rebecca Lasseko - Consultant Psychiatrist

Rebecca completed her Psychiatry Core and Higher training from Yorkshire and Humber deanery and she is on Specialist register as a General Adult Psychiatrist. She has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from Makerere University in Uganda, Master of Science in Psychiatry and Master of Public Health from Leeds University. She is a member of Royal College of Psychiatrists and Regional Specialty Representative for Rehab & Social for the Yorkshire Region.

Prior to joining Cygnet Hospital Harrogate in April 2022 Rebecca worked as a clinical lead for service development strategy group for inpatients wards and rehabilitation in Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust. She has extensive experience of working as a Consultant Psychiatrist in a wide variety of settings including substance misuse, rehabilitation, community mental health teams and acute wards.

Rebecca is passionate about patients care and advocate for mental health wellbeing of her patients. In her spare time, she volunteers in various charities to improve health in her community.

Dr Lasseko is available to see self-funding and insured patients.

Dr Layth Alashqar - Acting Consultant

Dr Layth comes from Southern California where he grew up and completed his undergraduate degrees from the California State University Long Beach with a Bachelors of Science in Physiology and a minor in Chemistry. During his University years, he also trained and worked as a Phlebotomist for the American Red Cross and later as a Paramedic.

Dr Layth then attended graduate school to study medicine at the University of Silesia where he attained his Medical Doctor (MD) degree. He then moved to England where he completed his Foundation program training. He then trained in GP and Psychiatry and decided to pursue Psychiatry as a career.

Dr Layth has been practicing as a Doctor since 2007. He worked in both the NHS primary and secondary care and more recently moved to the private sector with Cygnet Healthcare. He has vast experience in both physical and mental health conditions and so uses this to treat patients with a holistic approach. He has taught and supervised medical students. He developed and leads our hospital monthly teaching program.

Dr Layth enjoyed living in four different countries and speaks multiple languages. When not at work, he enjoys traveling and riding his motorbike.

Dr Layth is available to see self-funding and insured patients.

Dr Sajid Suleman - Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Sajid Suleman is a highly distinguished Consultant Psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience in the field. He holds a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in both General Adult and Liaison Psychiatry and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Dr. Suleman specialises in the assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental conditions. He gained his expertise in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the National Genetics Clinic at Maudsley Hospital and is fully trained in ADI-R and ADOS assessments. Additionally, he is an expert in adult ADHD, qualified to administer the DIVA diagnostic interview.

Dr Suleman is available to see self-funding patients for face-to-face consultations at one of our private hospitals or virtually.