
The Neurodevelopmental Specialist Service (NeSS) brings together our previous adult autism and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) services into one combined service.
We provide:
We do not offer support for other mental health issues that can often go alongside autism and ADHD; these should be referred to mental health services.
There is a national shortage of ADHD medication. We are fully aware of the situation which sadly is out of our control.
The Trust is working on a plan to support our patients. This will involve those with lived experience to help us put the best plan in place.
We have been advised to not start any new medication treatments for ADHD at the moment until this is resolved.
We will endeavour to continue with current prescriptions as long as supplies allow. This might mean some dose changes along the way but we will work with GPs and patients to find a temporary solution where possible.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition impacting on two key areas of life:
Many autistic people also experience sensory differences and can feel over (hyper) and under (hypo) stimulated within their environment. This can relate to stimuli such as light, sound, taste, smell, touch, and balance, and can significantly impact on the person’s functioning and wellbeing. Around 1% of the UK population is on the autism spectrum, that’s around 700,000. Autism cuts across all ages, ability levels, race, sex and gender, and none of these should be a barrier to accessing diagnostic assessment or support.
ADHD - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition that includes symptoms such as:
Most people can have these sorts of difficulties at times, but for individuals with ADHD, the symptoms are there most of the time and can seriously affect their everyday life.
Around 2.5% of the UK adult population have ADHD.
The impact of living with ADHD can include:
Symptoms similar to ADHD can be very common and can overlap with other difficulties. To meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, the person:
Please note: Due to long waiting times and high demand, we are not able to accept requests to expedite or prioritise any assessments. All referrals will be processed in the order in which they arrived at NeSS. This includes referrals for Trust staff.
GPs and any health professional from within Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust can refer to our service.
We are unable to accept self referrals, referrals from third sector organisations or referrals for residents outside of Nottinghamshire.
Those who may be eligible to use our service include:
Neurodevelopmental Specialist Service
The Pines, Highbury Hospital
Bulwell
Nottingham
NG6 9DR
The service phone line is open 10am - 2pm Monday to Friday. If you are unable to call during these hours please email the service using the address below.
Tel: 0115 956 0893
If you wish to change or cancel an appointment please call the above number during the hours listed. If unable to contact the serice please email with your name and the date and time of your appointment.
Email: NeSS@nottshc.nhs.uk
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
If you are in a crisis, please call the Trusts 24 hour a day 7 days a week crisis line on 0808 196 3779.
Neurodevelopmental Specialist Service
The Pines, Highbury Hospital
Bulwell
Nottingham
NG6 9DR
Tel: 0115 956 0893
Email: NeSS@nottshc.nhs.uk
GPs can refer using our referral form available within all practices across the county.
Notts Healthcare staff, please refer to the staff intranet where you can find the full referral criteria and referral form.
All referrals will be reviewed by our clinical team. Once accepted referrals will be acknowledged in writing to the referrer and client. The client will then be sent opt-in pre-screening questionnaires to complete and return. If these are not returned the referral will not be processed. Opt-in questionnaires will be reviewed to consider suitability for assessment. If so, the client will then be offered a screening assessment with a clinician. Following screening a decision will then be made with the client about further assessment and / or support within the service.
Sandra Hayes
Email: sandra.hayes@nottshc.nhs.uk