AAC WEST of England Specialist Service (AAC WEST)

/in /by

Hub – covering: South West

(Previously named ‘Bristol Communication Aid Service (BCAS)’)

Bristol Centre for Enablement, Highwood Pavilions, Jupiter Road, Patchway
Bristol
BS34 5BW
Tel: 0117 414 5850
Contact: Vicky Styles (Service Manager)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.nbt.nhs.uk/bcas

Service

Area covered
SW England

Population served
All ages

Scale
220 referrals per year

Services provided
As the NHS England contract holder for the South West, AAC WEST are able to provide the following services to clients who meet the national service specification for referral to a specialist AAC assessment centre:

  • Assessment
  • Short term loan of equipment for evaluation.
  • Provision of equipment for long term use.
  • Quality assurance evaluation
  • Training
  • Research

Staffing

  • Speech and Language Therapy (this includes the services clinical lead)
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Clinical Assistant practitioners
  • Supported by a clinical scientist from the Bristol Environment Control Service
  • Equipment manager supported by a team
  • A Teacher

Funded by
NHS England

Permanent or project
Permanent

Year set up
1981

Referral process
All incoming referrals to AAC WEST must be made through the clients local speech and language therapist. Referral forms can be found at https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/bristol-centre-enablement/referral-centre/bristol-communication-aid-service-referral. Local Speech and Language Therapists are encouraged to call AAC WEST to have a pre referral discussion for cases where it is unclear if the client meets the referral criteria.