A new programme has been launched to help GP practices across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
(LLR) to become more accessible and welcoming for people with a learning disability.
The new initiative has been designed to highlight and recognise the fantastic work happening within primary care to provide the best possible personalised healthcare.
The LLR Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) Collaborative have developed the Learning Disability Friendly GP Practice accreditation programme by working alongside people with lived experience to ensure that the scheme covers all areas where support is required when people with a learning disability visit their GP surgery. This includes making reasonable adjustments and supporting annual health checks for people, who are aged 14 and over, with a learning disability. To help the Collaborative shape the programme, six GP practices across LLR have taken part in a pilot scheme, to test the programme.
The launch of the programme was marked by an event that brought together local GP practices showcasing a number of presentations by healthcare professionals.
Latham House Medical Practice located in Melton Mowbray, took part in the pilot – their Vulnerable Patient Care Co-ordinator, Emeryss Tearne, said:
“The introduction of the programme has been positive for our practice as it has made us more proactive. We’ve reviewed resources and information for patients and looked into what more we can do within our practice to make it more accessible for our patients with a learning disability.”
Beaumont Lodge Medical Practice in Beaumont Leys also took part in the pilot and have started to introduce sensory care bags to support people with a learning disability at their appointments. The sensory bags include items such as stress balls and ear defenders and have been designed to offer comfort and reduce stress when patients attend their appointments at their GP practice.
Practice Nurse Manager, Sarah Wickerson, said:
“We have already started to implement reasonable adjustments and used a sensory care bag with a patient – we had feedback from the patient’s mother to say what a massive help it was.”
The programme also encourages practices to introduce a Learning Disability Ambassador who will work with the LDA Collaborative to help to improve the care of communities across LLR.
Rebecca Eccles, Health Equity Lead for the LLR LDA Collaborative said:
“I’m proud that we are able to launch the Learning Disability Friendly GP Practice accreditation programme across LLR. It will support the LDA Collaborative’s overall aim of health equity for everyone in our community.”
All GP practices across LLR are able to take part in the programme by completing an application form which sets out clear criteria that should be met in order to achieve a bronze, silver or gold accreditation. Once submitted, the form is reviewed by a panel.
The LDA Collaborative is led by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust with partners and representatives including the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, as well as voluntary and community organisations, and experts by experience.
Working together, the Collaborative’s aim is to address health inequalities and transform services to improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in the community. Currently people with a learning disability or autism have a shorter life expectancy than other people. The Collaborative brings both health services and local authorities together to champion better outcomes for everyone with a learning disability or autism.