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

2. 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 – 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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!

6. 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!