Coventry and Warwickshire service showcased at national event
A Coventry and Warwickshire service for people with learning disabilities has been showcased at a national event.
Agencies across the area have been working together to improve patient care for people who have up until now received a lot of care in an inpatient environment.
Thanks to the national initiative Transforming Care, many people with a learning disability will in future receive care in the community, where they can grow their independence, with the support they need.
The service aims to keep people with a learning disability out of hospital unless they absolutely need to be admitted due to their condition, by professionals working more closely, with people with a learning disability and with each other.
It also aims to help provide more alternatives to inpatient care for people who could live outside hospital or receive their support at home.
A key element of the service in Coventry and Warwickshire is development of the Intensive Support Team, who will work proactively with people, families and other agencies to avoid inappropriate hospital admission.
The work of the team and the new care model were presented by colleagues including Warwickshire County Council and Arden Greater East Midlands commissioning support unit at a recent NHS England event designed to help professionals in other parts of the country to develop their local plans following Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull’s good practice example.
Associate director of operations Barry Day, from Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “We have worked hard with service users and other organisations to develop the right approach for people with a learning disability.
“Too often, people with a learning disability do not get access to the services they need. The new service we have developed here in Coventry and Warwickshire is about agencies working together with the patient, to make sure they receive a personalised service, in the community.”