Bristol Communication Aid Service (BCAS)
Bristol Centre for Enablement
Highwood Pavilions
Jupiter Road
Patchway
Bristol
BS34 5BW
Contact Name: Vicky Styles (Service Manager)
Website: http://www.nbt.nhs.uk/bcas
Email: aacwestadmin@nbt.nhs.uk
Service Types: AAC services
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, BCAS 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
Funding
NHS England
Permanent or Project
Permanent
Year Founded
1981
Referral Process
All incoming referrals to BCAS 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 BCAS to have a pre referral discussion for cases where it is unclear if the client meets the referral criteria.