Adult Autism Service Bedfordshire & Luton Colin Parsons – Lead Nurse Specialist Update January 2019

Service Specification County wide service (Bedfordshire & Luton) for adults aged 18 plus, no upper age limit Diagnostic service – referrals accepted for individuals requiring assessment to confirm/exclude ASD diagnosis Short term post-diagnostic support/therapy for individuals diagnosed by the service Training and advice to ELFT colleagues and other local stakeholders Team – Lead Nurse Specialist: full-time Psychiatry Lead: half day per week Clinical Psychologist – 22.5 hours per week Senior Occupational Therapist – 18.75 hours per week Two Senior Clinical Support Workers: full-time* 12 appointments per month (approx.) – Psychiatry Eligibility criteria remains unchanged. Developments have been regarding staff – Psychiatry Lead is primarily strategic involvement and to help coordinate input of other Psychiatry colleagues to service OT and one support worker currently on maternity leave – returning in late Spring/early Summer

Service Redesign Review conducted between January – June 2018 Rationale of review:- to streamline service model & increase efficiency improve timeframes for diagnosis and signposting create resource capacity to develop scope for developing post-diagnostic interventions strengthen relationships with mainstream Mental Health services, to promote equitable access for people newly diagnosed with ASD (Greenlight, 2017) Part of review was to bring AAS more in line with other ELFT diagnostic service pathways & to ensure assessment process robust & evidence-based (hence ADOS)

Revised Service Pathway Referral form updated and being circulated to local services Standardized process for checking referrals when received Screening questionnaires & other information sent out with first letter (which confirms referral accepted) Two-stage diagnostic assessment:- Clinical Interview (RCPsych Interview Guide) Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) Post-diagnostic appointment for signposting advice & clarify whether further support required from service Revised job roles for Nurse – ADOS assessments as well as operational lead, Support Workers & OPT focused on post-dx work

Achievements Established pathway/process to Local Authorities for social needs assessment Have developed wide range of signposting resources & information, including information pack regards sensory processing integration Positive networking with local Mental Health services through training & liaison Contributed to Greenlight CQUIN (2 year project) to improve access to Mental Health services for people with LD and/or ASD Colin has been regular workshop facilitator for Recovery College Trainee Psychologist joined team for brief voluntary placement – enjoyed so much she wants to come back at Easter!

Looking Ahead Implementation, monitoring & review of new service model over 2019 Development of post-diagnostic groups Psycho-education Mindfulness Development of short-term individual therapy and facilitative support Developing roles for clinical trainees Focus groups to contribute to development of local ELFT LD & Autism Strategy Groups – did pilot of these in 2015, which had good feedback. Have been doing scoping exercise with service users over past few months, which collating to develop provision Trainees - CPD to develop skills in other clinicians – hope will improve access to mainstream services - Extra resource for team to deliver more post-diagnostic support Focus groups – Ruth!