Bradford/Airedale Neurodevelopmental Service (BANDS)

Description

The BANDS service offers input for Adults 18 years + across the Bradford and Airedale districts including Craven. It is currently composed of an Autism pathway and an ADHD pathway which operate differently with different criteria and ways to refer. BANDS is a specialist service with limited funding and capacity.

BANDS Autism Pathway

The Autism Pathway currently offers specialist support for adults referred for a diagnostic assessment for autism. It works with adults 18 years+ without a learning disability across Bradford, Craven and Airedale.

This comprehensive specialist diagnostic assessment includes full history of needs and uses validated specialist assessment tools recognised by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The team have extensive experience working with people with Autism and are trained in the relevant and recognised diagnostic assessment tools. We recognise that in recent years the service has been closed but now we aim to make our specialist local service accessible, friendly, and approachable and always put the needs of service users and their family or carers first.

Referrals

The Autism Pathway is open to new referrals. These are currently only accepted from your GP or Mental Health professional using our new BANDS autism electronic referral form. We do not accept self-referrals.

BANDS ADHD Pathway

The Adult ADHD Service provides a diagnostic assessment and treatment with medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and young people in transition from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). We also offer input to people who may have been diagnosed as a child/adult but may have stopped treatment.

We carry out a full diagnostic assessment for ADHD as per National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance and can signpost to other services in cases when issues other than ADHD are identified. If people who use our service are concerned about their mental health, they would need to access input from First Response Services on 0800 952 1181 .

We initiate treatment in the form of medication following discussion with individuals about the medication and their preferences. We will continue to manage their treatment via regular appointments until a stable dose has been attained at which point responsibility will be handed over to the GP.

Referrals

We do not accept self-referrals – please see your GP. All referrals should be completed on the BANDS ADHD Referral Form and ASRv Form for us to triage the referral. Failure to do so will result in the referral not being accepted.

The Team

ADHD Consultant Psychiatrist – 1.5 days
ADHD Independent Nurse Prescriber – 2.5 days
Lead Autism Clinician – 5 days
Autism Assistant Clinician – 5 days
BANDS Administrator – 5 days