Care for patients with a learning disability is improving all the time – with a new set of standards now in place across the region.
Our safeguarding team is supporting new ‘diamond pathways’ to deliver high quality, reasonably adjusted care for people with a learning disability.
The new standards, developed by the North East and Cumbria Learning Disability Network and Access to Acute Network, are about planned admission, emergency admission and discharge which are then underpinned by a core set of values and principles.
Our new standards for learning disabilities
The safeguarding team visited clinical areas last week to highlight the new standards and deliver information and free goodies.
Carley Ogden, nurse advisor for adult safeguarding and learning disability, said: “These new standards will provide the standard of care that people with learning disability require and to which they are entitled.
“They can be easily adopted and localised to each acute trust, meaning the region will become a leader in care for people with learning disabilities.
“The aim of the pathway and workforce education package is to help people by improving communication, experiences of health care, quality of life, promoting seamless care and reducing premature mortality.
“The education package focuses on communication, reasonable adjustments, the Mental Capacity Act, the diamond standard and pathways and any relevant case studies.”
The team also raised awareness of hospital passports – a document for patients about them and their health needs.
Carley added: “These passports are so important for people with a learning disability. It’s an opportunity to include useful information for staff including interests, likes and dislikes and any details to help staff make these patients feel more comfortable.
“We encourage all loved ones to fill these in if a stay in hospital is expected.”