Learning Disability Services

This page contains resources designed to support professionals working with people with learning disabilities as part of our role as Health Facilitators.  HCA talking to a young girl with autism

Plans

The NHS Long Term Plan for learning disability and autism was released at the beginning of January 2019. For autistic people and people with a learning disability the plan includes the following:

  • Investment in community support so that by 2023/24 every local health system would have a seven day specialist multidisciplinary service and crisis care to support people in their communities;

  • Implementing in full ‘Building the Right Support’: by March 2023/24, inpatient provision will have reduced to less than half of 2015 levels;

  • Over the next three years, waiting times for autism diagnosis will be included alongside work with children and young people’s mental health services to test and implement the most effective ways to reduce waiting times for specialist services;

  • Children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both with the most complex needs will have a designated keyworker.

  • The STOMP programme –  a national project involving different organisations to stop the over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both - will continue to expand;

  • Every person with a learning disability, autism or both will have a digital flag in their patient record to ensure staff have a better understanding of their needs;

  • Eyesight, hearing and dental services for children will be invested in and included in reviews as part of general screening services and supported by easily accessible, ongoing care;

  • Over the next five years NHS Improvement learning disability improvement standards will be implemented and will apply to all services funded by the NHS;

  • The NHS will continue to offer more work opportunities to people with a learning disability and autistic people.

You can view a video about the NHS Long Term Plan for learning disability and Autism here.

 

Programmes

LeDeR

The learning from deaths of people with a learning disability (LeDeR) programme was set up as a national programme to look at why people are dying and what we can do to change services locally and nationally to improve the health of people with a learning disability and reduce health inequalities. 

 

Resources

Annual Health Check

People with a learning disability, aged 14+ can access an annual health check via their GP Practice. These resources will help to prepare and deliver these important checks:

Annual Health Check-leaflet

Pre-Annual Health Check questionnaire

Annual Health Check action plan template

Improving identification of people with a learning disability -guidance for general practice

Learning Disabilities Resource Pack for General Practice July 2023

Annual Health Check Grapevine flyer

Annual Health Check letter template (You can use this letter to request a learning disability Annual Health Check from your GP).


Cancer screening

These easy read resources provide accessible information about cancer screening programmes:

Easy read - bowel screening

Easy read - breast screening

Easy read - having a smear

This guidance and resource pack is for care providers of learning disability services:

Promoting access to cancer screenings

 

COVID-19 vaccine

For the latest advice, information and resources linked to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) vaccine, please visit our dedicated page. If you would like information about the Stoneleigh Vaccination Centre visit the web page. 

 

E-learning

Free e-learning modules available covering people who have learning disabilities and and are at risk of behaviours that challenge, people with learning disabilities who have mental health conditions and people with learning disabilities who have Autism can be found here.

 

Preparing for hospital appointments/admissions

People with a learning disability should be supported to have a hospital passport prepared to provide important information about them to those providing care and treatment. Blank hospital passport templates are provided below:

Hospital Passport - George Eliot Hospital

Hospital Passport - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust

Hospital Passport - University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

 

Oral care

To help health professionals, paid social care staff and family members to support someone with learning disabilities to get good oral care, please refer to this webpage.

Below is an easy read guide about oral health:

Easy read - oral care

 

Reasonable adjustments

Changing the way that care and support is delivered to someone with a learning disability can help ensure they access services and have a positive experience of health care. These resources provides guidance on reasonable adjustments:

The 4 P’s Reasonable Adjustments Model.pdf [pdf] 275KB

Reasonable Adjustments Guide for Mental Health Professionals.pdf [pdf] 1MB

NHS Right Care Pathway - Diabetes

Treat me well top 10 reasonable adjustments

There is also easy read information on a wide range of health topics on this website.
 

Intensive Support Service for Children and Young Adults

Intensive Support Team leaflet for professionals.pdf [pdf] 293KB

 

Children's Community Learning Disability Team Information for Referrers

Children's Community Learning Disability Team Information for Referrers v1.pdf[pdf] 944KB