Autism Sleep Medication Service

We welcome referrals to the Autism Sleep Medication Service where ALL the six criteria below are met.

1. The referral is made by 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service (PHNS) team or a Targeted Early Help Practitioner (TEHP) working with the family, and
    
2. the patient is registered with a Barnsley GP, and
    
3. the patient had a diagnosis of autism made within the last 3 years (proof will be required for out of area, private or right-to-choose diagnosis), and
    
4. the patient is under the age of 16 years (<15y 9m at the point of referral), and
    
5. there is evidence of Tier 1 sleep support for this patient within the last 18 months, with at least 4 months allowed to embed changes/strategies - to be submitted with the referral, and
    
6. a minimum of 3 weeks worth of sleep diaries have been completed.  We would recommend using the SNappD app to do this, however, a paper version is also available if needed (links below)  - to be submitted with the referral

Flynn Pharma | SNappD (Digital sleep diary)

BHNFT | Sleep Diary (Printable paper version)

Please note: Referrals will not be considered where the above criteria are not met or evidenced. We are not able to change the criteria for individual patients nor can exceptions be made.

Referrals will only be considered from either:

• 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service, or
   
• Targeted Early Help Practitioners (TEHP)

Referrals will only be considered using the correct referral form using the link below and must be accompanied by the evidence specified in our referral criteria.  

Completed referrals to be submitted along with the required evidence to Barnsley.Paed-SleepMedService@nhs.net

Please note, the referral form will be live from the 1st of October

Referrals from the Sheffield Children’s Hospital (SCH) Sleep Clinic will be triaged to ensure they meet the referral criteria or that the patient is returning to Barnsley Community Paediatrics following referral out to SCH. 

Patients who have been referred from Barnsley Community Paediatrics to SCH sleep clinic will be accepted back for sleep medication monitoring. Transfer between these services is by letter request.

1. Upon acceptance, all patients will be offered a Video Consultation with one of our Specialist Children's Nurses.
    
2. If medication is prescribed, the patient will be required to attend regular medication reviews which will vary between telephone and face to face consultation.
    
3. Non-attendance will result in discharge from the service.

Please contact the paediatric secretaries directly to arrange your repeat prescription. Please ensure you know which paediatrician your child sees in order to be able to speak to the correct team.

Requests may take 7 working days to process or slightly longer in certain situations. It is recommended that children take regular short Melatonin breaks as this can aid the effectiveness of the medication.

Please use the link below to submit your repeat prescription request form.

Telephone requests for medication will not be accepted nor will contacting the team change the time in which these are processed.

Request repeat sleep medication prescription