GPs should better support People with Learning Disabilities
We asked adults with learning disabilities in Hertfordshire whether they are supported by GP services. Click on our video below to hear what we found.
To find out more or to ask for a paper of the report, you can contact us at:
Post: Healthwatch Hertfordshire, Kings Court, London Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2NG
Phone: 01707 275978
There are about 21,000 people with learning disabilities in Hertfordshire. People with learning disabilities often have more health problems than other people and this means they might not live as long as other people.
However, lots of these problems might not happen if they had better healthcare. Sometimes people with learning disabilities do not get the healthcare they need and it can be difficult for them to stay fit and healthy.
Why did we do this work?
The people who run the NHS in Hertfordshire and West Essex wanted to find out what people with learning disabilities said about:
• Getting to see their doctor.
• How well their doctor helps them to live in a healthy way.
Herts People First is a local self-advocacy group that helps people with learning disabilities speak out about things that are important to them. They helped us to find people to talk to and to talk to them in the right way.
What did we find out?
People with learning disabilities had good and bad stories about going to the doctor. We think some doctors’ surgeries could do more to help people have better health and live longer.
- One of the best things we heard about was doctors’ surgeries who had a Care Coordinator. In Hertfordshire, a Care Coordinator is someone who works at the doctor's surgery to help people with learning disabilities when they see a doctor or nurse. If a doctor’s surgery has a Care Coordinator, they should tell all their patients with learning disabilities.
- People with learning disabilities should have an Annual Health Check to check both their body and mind are healthy. This is when a doctor or nurse checks the person’s health and gives them advice. Annual means that it happens every year. Doctors and nurses should take 30 minutes to 1 hour for an Annual Health Check and it should be done at the doctor’s surgery, not on the phone.
- Doctors’ surgeries should make changes to their phone systems so that people do not have to wait so long to talk to someone. Doctors’ surgeries should let people with learning disabilities choose the time and date of their appointment.
- Doctors’ surgeries should see people with learning disabilities face-to-face. If a doctor has to phone a person with learning disabilities, they should tell them exactly what time they will phone. Doctors’ surgeries should make sure that people with learning disabilities see the same doctor or nurse each time. This is so they get to know them and feel safe talking to them.
- The law says that doctors’ surgeries have to give people information in a way they will understand. There is more information about this here. Doctors should ask people with learning disabilities how they want to get information, for example Easy Read.
- Doctors and nurses should talk directly to people with learning disabilities about their health and care. They should not act as if the person with a learning disability is not in the room. It is also important that doctors and nurses talk to carers and support workers as well - if the person with a learning disability wants that.
- All staff who work in the doctor’s surgery should be kind and respectful and help people in the way that they need.
- Doctors and nurses should give clear information about how to live in a healthy way. The information should include things like meal plans and exercise plans.
What has happened and what is next?
We have used what people with learning disabilities said, to tell the NHS what they should do in the future. The NHS will use what we have told them to make healthcare services better for people with learning disabilities.
Some of the important things we told the NHS are:
- Doctors’ surgeries should have a Care Coordinator, or a main contact, to help people with learning disabilities and tell people with learning disabilities about them.
- At Annual Health Checks, doctors or nurses should talk about healthy eating, weight, exercise, mental health, cancer checks, sexual health, drugs, alcohol intake and smoking. Staff need to make sure people with learning disabilities are offered an Annual Health Check and reminded when it is due.
- Let people with learning disabilities contact their doctors’ surgeries when their carer or support worker can be with them (not only at 8am).
- All staff to keep learning about how to help people with learning disabilities.
- Any information to be provided in Easy Read and/or a way that the patient can understand.
Downloads
Below you can download a copy of the full Report or an Easy Read version.
