Mitford – Adult Autism Inpatient Unit – Information for referrers

Mitford / Mitford Bungalows are established inpatient services for adults who are on the autism spectrum, who have extremely complex needs and display challenging behaviours to the extent that their needs cannot be met by local assessment and treatment services.

The service also provides diversion for individuals who have been inappropriately placed within secure services.

Mitford / Bungalows have been specifically designed to allow for highly individual environmental adaptations to reduce anxiety and positively impact on challenging behaviours.

Mitford / Mitford Bungalows incorporate a large number of design features to meet the needs of adults on the autism spectrum and enables patients and staff to adapt the environment to individual needs with minimal change and reduce the possibility of challenging behaviours.

Features include:
– Single and shared living areas with option to create low / high stimulus environments
– Precise temperature control allowing for rapid
cooling or heating within each living area
– Corridors that are non-threatening with curved
walls and seating areas throughout to aid
transition around the unit
– Doors and units that can be hidden into walls when necessary to create smooth lines and reduce anxiety
– High ceilings which provide feeling of space as well as diffusing sound and light • Sound-proofed living areas to help reduce noise sensitivity • Use of latest digital technology that allows patients to attend CPA meetings via Skype from their individual living areas Mitford.

Mitford facilities include:
– Single person living areas with access to private garden area
– Shared living areas with access to shared garden area
– Bedrooms all with en-suite
– Activity room
– Sensory room
– Therapy room
– Kitchen and Laundry
– Treatment room
– Sanctuary and quiet space

The multidisciplinary team provides bespoke specialist assessment and patient centred treatment and includes:

Psychiatry
Psychology
Speech and Language Therapy
Nursing
Occupational Therapy
Music, Art and Dance Therapy
Exercise Therapy

Treatment Phase focuses on:
Treatment of co-morbid conditions
Amelioration of effects of autism e.g. lowering excessive levels of anxiety and arousal
Development of independent living skills
Development of effective support strategies
Transferrable skills to support discharge planning

Our Clinical Model is time limited incorporating detailed pre-and post-admission assessment, evaluation and treatment of needs, specification of community provision and detailed discharge planning. The time scales are constructed to ensure that momentum to return individuals to their home community is not lost and that lengthy hospital stays are avoided.

Adults aged 18+ years
Male and Females
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Complex difficulties associated with ASD

The following will be required prior to admission:
Clear agreement with Commissioners re funding. Clear assessment and treatment task.
Clear exit route.
Consideration of patient mix within Mitford Unit.

The service is not suitable for individuals under the age of 18 years
Individuals for whom autism is not the primary disability condition

Referrals are accepted from Community and Inpatient Learning Disability and Mental Health teams regionally and nationally.

Assessments are undertaken on a multi-disciplinary basis with team composition dependent upon the needs of the patient and referring service.

If you would like to make a referral or for more information please contact us:
Mitford, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Northgate Hospital Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3BP.

Telephone: 0191 245 6790
Referral email: [email protected]

Mitford
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Northgate Hospital
Morpeth
Northumberland NE61 3BP

Telephone: 0191 245 6790
Referral email: [email protected]