Regional Communication Aid Service (RCAS)

This leaflet will provide you with information about the service. If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet, please ask a member of staff.

The Regional Communication Aid Service is a specialised service working in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). AAC includes a wide range of strategies and systems that are used alongside or instead of spoken communication.

The service helps people with severe or complex communication difficulties using technology such as electronic communication aids. We provide assessments, advice, loans of equipment and training.

The service is based at Walkergate Park, Centre for Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-psychiatry, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The service is for people of all ages who have severe or complex communication difficulties. These communication difficulties are usually associated with a range of physical, cognitive, learning or sensory difficulties.

We have referral criteria set by NHS England, which states that you will have a clear difference between your level of understanding and ability to speak. You must be able to understand the purpose of a communication aid and be capable of learning and remembering how to use the communication aid.

The team offers:

• Communication aid assessments, jointly working with your local team such as your local speech and language therapist.
• Long term loans of communication aids including technical support and repairs.
• Specialist advice and training to you, your family and professionals on Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

We will visit you in a suitable location such as your home, school or hospital. You will be visited by one or two members of the assessment team. The team includes professionals who have specialised knowledge and skills in this area and includes speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, clinical scientists and clinical technologists.

The assessment may include other people, such as your family, carers, relatives, teachers or health care professionals.

The aim of the assessment is to find the best communication aid system for you. We will consider your communication skills and take into account any difficulties. We will talk to you about what you are hoping a communication aid will help you with and you will be included in all decisions.

Following your assessment, we may loan you a communication aid to trial. We will provide training and support to you, your family, carers and your local team to help you learn how to use the communication aid. We will review the trial, which involves finding out what you think of the communication aid. If the communication aid helps you to communicate and is working well for you, you will usually keep the aid on long term loan.

We will give you an assessment report at the end of the trial period.

Most referrals are made by local speech and language therapists who are involved in your assessment and supporting you to learn how to use the communication aid.

You can also refer yourself or be referred by a professional in a statutory service role such as a NHS funded professional, local authority funded professional or education funded professional involved in your care. However, it is important to ensure that referrers are able to provide ongoing support throughout the assessment, loan and long term use of a communication aid.

The Regional Communication Aid Service can be contacted by telephone, email or in writing.

Contact Traveline: Tel: 0871 200 22 33

Website: www.traveline.info/</a

If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:

• talk to the people directly involved in your care
• ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust website
• telephone the Complaints Department Tel: 0191 245 6672
• email [email protected] Please note that information sent to the Trust via email is sent at your own risk

 
We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention. You can provide feedback in the following ways:

• the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourvoice
• complete a Your Voice survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff
• other options for sharing your feedback and experience www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback

 
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved ones care.

We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.

North of Tyne
Tel: 0800 032 0202
Email: [email protected]
Post: FREEPOST PALS

South of Tyne
Tel: 0800 328 4397
Text: 07825 061 035
Email: [email protected]
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB

9am – 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
North of Tyne Tel: 0800 032 0202, 9am-4.30pm, Monday – Friday
Provides information and advice about local NHS services and support organisations and helps sort out any problems with NHS services.

The Regional Communication Aid Service
Walkergate Park
Centre for Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-psychiatry
Benfield Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 4QD
Tel: 0191 287 5240
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2025 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref, PIC/459/0225 February 2025 V7
www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288
Review date 2028