Diagnostic uncertainties in psychiatry with a focus on Neurodiversity

Join us at the RCPsych Northern and Yorkshire Division Autumn Conference on 19 September 2025 in York, with the theme of “Resolving Diagnostic Uncertainties – focus on Neurodiversity”. The programme features expert talks on clinically differentiating personality disorder (across the age span), autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, with updates from the RCPsych Dean.

Programme

Dr Niraj Ahuja: Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder: the overlap and the divide

Dr Niraj Ahuja works as a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Regional Affective Disorders Service (RADS) in Newcastle.

Key learning outcomes of presentation:

• Symptomatic overlap and separation between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder
• A focus on practical clinical tools to avoid misdiagnosis and explore co-morbidity
• Application of evidence-based treatments in management

Dr Ayesha Bangash: Challenges in diagnosing personality disorder in old age

Dr Ayesha Bangash became a consultant in old age psychiatry in 2018. Since that time, she has been working on an acute unit for organic and functional illnesses. Dr Bangash has an interest in late life personality disorders and likes to publish articles on the subject to create awareness of this topic in clinicians.

Key learning outcomes of presentation:

• Why do we need to know about late life personality disorders?
• Clinical features of late life personality disorders
• Diagnostic challenges

Dr Liz Stonell: Promoting Equity for Neurodivergent Resident Doctors

Dr Stonell is a GP Partner and Trainer at Orchard Croft Medical Centre, Wakefield. She is Joint Associate Dean for Training Support in the GP School, Yorkshire and Humber, and is also Associate Dean for Neurodiversity Educator Support in the Yorkshire and Humber Deanery. Liz is a member of the British Association of Neurodiversity, and contributed to the RCGP Extended Roles Framework for ADHD.

Key learning outcomes of presentation:

• Recognise how neurodivergent traits can influence experiences in postgraduate psychiatry training, including both strengths and challenges.
• Identify practical strategies and reasonable adjustments that promote equity, inclusion, and performance for neurodivergent doctors in training.
• Apply approaches for constructive dialogue and collaboration between trainees, supervisors, and training organisations to create supportive learning environments.

Professor Subodh Dave: Dealing with Clinical Complexity: The Role of Medical Leadership

Professor Dave was elected as Dean in 2021. He holds this role until 2026. He has overall responsibility for setting standards for and facilitating the effective delivery of psychiatric education and training.

He works as Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist in Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust and is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Bolton. He is Deputy Director of Undergraduate Medical Education and in that role has led innovations in introducing and embedding simulation and lived-experience involvement in the training of medical students at the University of Nottingham.

He is passionate about ensuring that training, assessment structures and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programmes lead to improvements in patient care and clinical outcomes.

Key learning outcomes of presentation:

• Delegates will recognise the key factors – external and internal- that engender therapeutic nihilism
• Delegates will be able to describe the importance of formulations in dealing with clinical complexity
• Delegate will be able to describe the actions the College has undertaken to strengthen the role of Medical Leadership

We are also delighted to welcome to following to our speaker panel:

Dr Abdul Raoof, RCPsych Associate Dean for Advanced Learning and Conferences

Dr Tim Fullen, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, South West Yorkshire Partnership Trust

We are running the annual poster competition at this conference. The competition has four competing categories:

• Best Medical Student/FY Doctor Poster
• Best Core Resident Doctor (CT1-3) Poster 
• Best Higher Resident Doctor (ST4-6) Poster
• Best SAS Doctor/Consultant Poster.

To find out more information and apply please visit the competitions webpage.

We will be hosting our autumn conference at The Grand in York.

Getting to the Grand

Address: The Grand Hotel, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GD

Car

The Grand Hotel is located in the City Centre of York. There is no onsite parking available, however there is the NCP Tanner Row car park located just a 3 minute walk from the hotel. Charges available online: York Tanner Row Car Park

Rail

Travel by rail in under two hours from central London; Edinburgh is just two-and-a-half hours away; and there are regular direct services from Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. The Grand, York is just a 3 minute walk (0.3 miles) walk from York train station.

Air

York is easily accessible via Manchester (83 miles/133km) and Leeds (30 miles/48km) airports. Fly to Manchester from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Fly to Leeds from 19 European countries including France, Croatia and Greece.

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