Jim Blair
Health inequalities: change can only happen when there is a shift in power
People with lived experience must be key players in service evolution
How to get care right for people with learning disabilities in the emergency department
To get care and treatment right it is essential to ‘ask and engage’ people
A protocol for the preparation of patients for theatre and recovery
This article explores the creation of a specific protocol to prepare children and young people with learning disabilities effectively for theatre and to ensure appropriate support during recovery. The TEACH approach (time, environment, attitude, communication and help) was adopted to provide a framework for reasonably adjusted care. The theatre and recovery protocol was developed following complaints by parents of children with learning disabilities about unsatisfactory care, and after cancelled operations. The young person is offered a pre-admission visit and a hospital passport, which explores their likes and dislikes and enables staff to prepare for their specific needs and requirements. In recovery, a quieter and larger area has been created. The protocol has enabled staff to feel more confident and to individually address the young person’s needs. This protocol could easily be adopted for many other people regardless of age or disability who need to have care altered to meet their needs.
Talking About Down’s Syndrome: Conversations for New Parents
‘CONGRATULATIONS ON the birth of your new baby’ is the welcome message from the author of these cards, Hayley Goleniowska, to parents of babies with Down’s syndrome.
a computer and internet future: enabling inclusion?
Computers and the internet have the ability to change lives positively and link the isolated and marginalised, including people with learning disabilities. The advancement of modern technology is opening new doors for individuals with learning disabilities (Bush 2003), but the issue of accessibility is very important. Disabled people experience problems in accessing the internet and computers for a variety of reasons depending on the nature and extent of their disability, such as fine motor skills, and sight, cognitive, physical ability and hearing difficulties. Pilling et al (2004) found that disabled people are generally interested in using the internet but can be held back by practical problems such as the lack of assistive devices, and the financial costs of computers and of being online. Website accessibility, and therefore inclusion, is about ensuring equal access for all, without regard to ability, technology or situation.
Altogether now: learning disability open meetings
Services for people with learning disabilities have seen massive changes over the past decade. The focus has shifted to promoting inclusion, rights, choice, advocacy and enhancing the access people with learning disabilities have to non-specialist provision. This agenda gathered pace with the publication of the Valuing People White Paper (Department of Health (DH) 2001)). Last year, ministers announced that by 2025 disabled people should be respected and included as equal members of society (Cabinet Office 2005). The learning disability open meeting is a collaborative enterprise and strives to play a small part in such developments. It seeks to exert a local, regional and national influence by changing how people with learning disabilities are viewed.
Mapping the future
The National Health Service and services for people with learning disabilities have undergone a paradigm shift. Twenty years ago, the statutory sector was the sole provider of services to people with learning disabilities, but now the independent, voluntary and private sector play a significant role.