Referrals Information

How to refer inpatients: All inpatients should be referred on ICE, using the designated referral form.

A person can only be referred for a swallowing assessment on ICE if the person’s medical team agree with the referral and if the need for the referral is documented in the person’s medical record.

How to refer outpatients: Information about criteria for referral to the Speech & Language Outpatient department and an electronic referral form can be found here: https://remedy.bnssgccg.nhs.uk/adults/speech-language/slt-hospital-outpatients/  

Alternatively, a referral letter can be sent stating the reason for referrral, current problems, relevant medical history and any known risks can be sent to Speech & Language Therapy Department, North Bristol NHS Trust, Level 2, Cossham Hospital, Bristol, BS15 1LF.

Referrals for people with communication difficulties can be accepted directly from the person themselves and/or their carers. Referrals for people with new swallowing difficulties should be made by a Doctor or member of the multidisciplinary team e.g. physiotherapist or specialist nurse, but self-referrals for swallowing problems can be made if the person has been previously known to our NBT Speech & Language Therapy service. 

Outpatient appointments can be arranged at Southmead Hospital Bristol and Cossham Hospital or people can be seen at their home in the community if this is necessary.

This course delivers the underpinning knowledge to support candidates in the development of specialist practice in clinical neuropsychology. The content provides the Knowledge and Skills component of the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) syllabus for those who want to undertake the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology. This course is one of only three courses nationally offering this training.

The course is based upon an established academic partnership between Bristol University and North Bristol NHS Trust. The Academic Partnership was set up specifically to support this new course and represents a formal linkage between the Department of Experimental Psychology within Bristol University, and the Department of Neuropsychology within North Bristol NHS Trust; institutions with records of clinical and academic excellence.

The Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology course has a strong scientist-practitioner ethos where candidates will refine their skills in understanding and applying the scientific evidence base to their practice. It is intended that candidates completing the course will have a firm contemporary knowledge of Clinical Neuropsychology practice as well as the skills to maintain this high level of knowledge throughout their careers. In designing the course we aim to be academically robust, contemporary and clinically relevant. We aim to train candidates who are knowledgeable, scientist-practitioners, confident and capable in assessment and rehabilitation / treatment within neuropsychology, who use evidence based tools, techniques and approaches, and are able to continue to learn and develop throughout their careers in Clinical Neuropsychology.

The course is jointly directed by Dr Kit Pleydell-Pearce, Senior Lecturer in Neuropsychology within Bristol University, and Dr Martin Bunnage, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist within North Bristol NHS Trust. It is guided by a program management group consisting of the two Directors, the Partnership Director, Dr Ingram Wright, the Assistant Director Dr David Turk, and the Head of the Department of Experimental Psychology, Professor Jan Noyes and the Head of the Department of Neuropsychology, Dr Ingram Wright.

The Post Graduate Medical Education (PGME) Department provides education, training and support to junior doctors working across North Bristol NHS Trust and GP trainees working in the Severn Deanery area.

We offer a range of services from management of the induction process, core teaching programmes, management of study leave for doctors in training, multi-professional human factors and simulation training as well as pastoral advice for trainees requiring additional support.

Training includes foundation year doctors, core medical and specialty trainees, as well as supporting Staff Grade and Associate Specialist doctors.  The total number of doctors in training at North Bristol NHS Trust is approximately 450, including Trust grade doctors.

We work with teams from across the Trust to support the development and delivery of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety projects, and provide support and resources for a variety of multi-disciplinary training events such as theatre team and ‘point of care’ simulation training.

Members of the department regularly present their work at regional, national and international meetings and conferences, including the ‘National Association of Clinical Tutors’, ‘Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare’ and ‘Association for the Study of Medical Education’ events.

Work has been presented on themes ranging from development of a foundation simulation programme, delivery of ‘point of care’ simulation, development of a quality improvement network and use of video capture for consultation training.

Undergraduate Medical Education at North Bristol NHS Trust is delivered through the North Bristol Academy of University of Bristol.

The Academy provides clinical placements and teaching for University of Bristol Medical students during all years of their training, giving them in-depth clinical experience and preparation for life as a junior doctor.

Classroom teaching occurs mainly in the Learning & Research Centre, and is consultant led, supported by full time clinical teaching fellows.

For further information regarding the MBChB course at the University of Bristol, please visit www.bris.ac.uk/medical-school

Developing the existing workforce.
We work closely with education providers to provide a range of continuing education programmes designed to support people in practice.

For information on continuing professional development and ongoing education commissioning, visit the Health Education England South West website.

Other possible sources of funding for nurses and midwives to undertake continuing professional development, research courses, and research dissertations include:

• Burdett Trust for Nursing
• The Florence Nightingale Foundation
• General Nursing Council
• The Nightingale Fund
• RCN Foundation
• Royal College of Nursing

The Staff Development Department is able to arrange programmes of Lifelong Learning for staff to improve their skills in:

• English
• Maths
• Study Skills 

These courses are designed to support staff to brush up their skills, build confidence and  motivation for learning, and develop essential workplace skills as part of their personal development plan.

These courses enable staff to progress to work based qualifications and further and higher education.  

Functional Skills maths, English and ICT are also part of Apprenticeship programmes.

The Clinical Skills Training Team at North Bristol NHS Trust provide training and development opportunities for clinical staff to ensure they have the confidence and competence to deliver exceptional healthcare.

We support new clinical staff joining the Trust to ease the transition into their new roles and to becoming effective and valuable members of their new teams.

We support existing clinical staff with maintaining their competency and assisting career development, and work with ward managers and clinical education leads to identify the training needs of individuals and teams.

We use a mixed approach to deliver training which includes:

• E-learning
• Simulation sessions
• Classroom sessions
• 1-1 sessions

Where appropriate, training can also be delivered to individuals and groups in the clinical environment.

The aim of leadership development at North Bristol NHS Trust is to ensure that the Trust has the leadership capability and capacity to deliver the health service agenda.

We offer accredited Leadership and Management Development Programmes, a range of management skills workshops and other development activities such as coaching and team building to ensure staff who lead and manage are skilled and confident.

In partnership with the University of the West of England, North Bristol NHS Trust delivers the specialist module: Principles of Neuroscience
This 20 credit Level 3/Masters blended learning module is suitable for nurses and Health Care Professionals in both the acute/primary, adult and paediatric settings who have a particular interest in the Neurosciences and practice at Band 4 and above, and with evidence of recent study at intended level.

Key Aims – to facilitate the enhancement of the learners’ knowledge, skills and attitudes to enable them to apply evidence-based practice and critically appraise developments in the neuroscience field and promote quality initiatives to measure and improve outcomes.

What’s on the programme?

• Understanding the pathophysiology of patients within a neuroscience setting
• Holistic awareness – psychosocial aspects of neurosciences patient centred care
• Contemporary practice, management and professional issues
• Reflection and planning – Timeline – self-directed e-learning
• Transition practice from paediatric to adult neuroscience care

Teaching methods include; ‘live’ brain dissection, workshops, lectures, seminars, timeline, group work and online resource.

The assignment comprises of three components: Timeline Presentation; Supporting Essay and Professional Development Profile (PDP).

Further details about the course content, structure and fees are available via the University of the West of England website.

In partnership with the University of the West of England, North Bristol NHS Trust delivers the specialist module: Essentials of Renal Care

This 20 credit Level 3 / Masters blended learning module is suitable for nurses in both the acute and primary care settings who have a particular interest in renal care, and for paediatric nurses based in a renal setting.

Key Aims – to facilitate the enhancement of the learners’ knowledge, skills and attitudes to enable them to apply evidence-based practice and critically appraise developments in renal care and promote quality initiatives to measure and improve outcomes.

What’s on the programme?

• Understanding renal pathophysiology
• Holistic awareness – ethical considerations and psychosocial aspects of patient centred renal care
• Management of Chronic and Acute Kidney Injury
• Contemporary practice in Renal Replacement Therapies and End of Life Care
• Reflection and planning – case studies – self-directed e-learning, debate, problem-solving
• Transition considerations from paediatric to adult renal care

The assessment is of two parts:

• Formative: Presentation.
• Summative: A 2,500 word Case Study (including an “e” submission)

There are 5 taught study days and 1 study day for Presentations and self-directed study/tutorial.

• Further details about the course content, structure and fees are available via the University of the West of England website.