This is the latest update for the NHS England Learning Disability and Autism Forum. It tells you what NHS England is doing to improve the health and lives of people with a learning disability, autism or both. It also tells you about ways you can get involved in the work of NHS England.
Book your place: Complaints, Comments and Feedback - making them accessible, 17 March, London
At this NHS England Learning Disability and Autism Forum event we want people to share their ideas to improve how complaints, comments and feedback in health and care. We will ask you how this can be made more accessible to people with a learning disability, autism or both, and to their families and carers. This will shape the work NHS England is doing to improve how feedback is used and to improve how complaints are handled.
An easy read invitation is attached to this email.
Watch a video invitation to the event.
Book your place and find out more information here.
Refreshments and registration from 10:30 and the meeting will start at 11am and will be finished by 3.30pm.
Film about NHS England and why we want YOU involved in its work
The NHS England Learning Disability and Autism Forum told us that we should explain what NHS England is. So we have launched a short film about the work of NHS England and why we want to have patients and the public involved in its work. The film was co-produced with people with a learning disability.
Watch ‘Getting Involved At NHS England’
Webinar: Transforming Care for children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both
Transforming Care is for children, young people and adults with a learning disability, autism or both. It is work to transform the way that care and services are provided to help people have a meaningful and positive life. The work also aims to prevent children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both who also have behaviours that challenge or a mental health condition being admitted to specialist hospitals such as assessment and treatment units (ATUs).
In local areas, Transforming Care Partnerships are leading on work to improve services and the lives of children, young people and adults with a learning disability, autism or both.
Contact a Family are running a webinar (an online meeting) on Wednesday 1 February 2017, 12:30 - 13:30pm. It will explain:
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why Transforming Care is important,
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what it means for children, young people and their families,
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what is happening in your local area,
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how it links with the special educational needs and disability (SEND) agenda
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how you can get involved to shape transformation
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what parents can do when things are not working for you and your child, particularly if your child may be at risk of being admitted to hospital.
More information and how to book a place.
Consultation about learning disability and autism services in the North West – closes 23 February
The NHS wants to hear your thoughts on proposals to close Calderstones, the last long-stay learning disability hospital in England. It wants to create more community support for people with a learning disability, autism or both in the North West. If you want to have your say, remember to do it before 23 February.
Non-easy read: further information about the consultation
There is a webinar on 9 Feb 10-11am to give more information about the consultation. You can join the webinar by emailing: england.northspecialisedcorporate@nhs.net
Accessible Information Standard review – have your say
The Accessible Information Standard says that disabled people should get information in a way they can access and understand. It also says that people should get support with communication if they need it. The Accessible Information Standard tells organisations how to do this. The law says that all organisations that give NHS care or adult social care have to do what the Standard says.
NHS England is reviewing the Standard and would like to know what you think.
You can complete an easy read version of the survey and return it before 10 March 2017. Or this is a link to the non-easy read version of the survey.
You can watch a short video to find out more about the Accessible Information Standard.
If you have any questions you can email england.nhs.participation@nhs.net or call 0300 311 22 33.
Recent accessible videos about the work of NHS England
If you would like to know more about some of the work NHS England is doing to improve the health and care of people with a learning disability, autism or both, you may find these useful:
(1) Find out more about NHS England’s work Stopping the Overmedication of People with a Learning Disability- STOMPLD. Carl Shaw, Learning Disability Advisor at NHS England talks about the project and the importance of working with people with a learning disability. Link to further information about the work on medicines
(2) Find out more about Transforming Care from Fiona McMillan-Shields Head of Transforming Care Delivery at NHS England. Fiona talks about what she would like to change for people with a learning disability, what a transforming care partnership is and how she brings together local people and commissioners to make decisions about healthcare.
(3) Find out more about the work NHS England is doing to get health care right for people with a learning disability, starting with diabetes. Jane Kachika, the Right Care Pathways lead in the Learning Disability Programme at NHS England, talks about making a diabetes care pathway for people with a learning disability.
Let us know if you have feedback, or would like to hear about a particular topic in the future.
Report about health and care of people with a learning disability
The biggest study about the health and care of people with a learning disability has been published by NHS Digital. The report is also available in easy read.
It tells us:
- how long people live
- how many people are registered with a doctor (a GP)
- how many people have a condition like epilepsy, diabetes, cancer, obesity or heart problems
The report shows us what things need to improve.
Stronger Together- report from parents about assessment and treatment units
NHS England funded an event to bring families with experience of assessment and treatment units together. In the report parents tell us about the problems they are experiencing and make recommendations to improve the care of their loved ones. It highlights the importance of support that could prevent a crisis.
The Stronger Together report could be useful to you if you are working with your local TCP (Transforming Care Partnership). Stronger Together was run by Bringing us Together and Respond, who work together as ‘Justice Together’.
Report from the Care Quality Commission- how NHS trusts investigate patient deaths
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has looked at how NHS trusts learn from the deaths of patients in England. This follows the review of failings at the Southern Health Foundation Trust in 2015. They recommend:
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The NHS needs to learn more from deaths to improve future care.
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The deaths of people with a learning disability or a mental health condition should receive more attention.
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Trusts should be honest and caring with bereaved relatives and carers.
Read the easy read CQC report- Learning, candour and accountability
Read the non- easy read CQC report - Learning, candour and accountability
Webinars on the Voluntary Sector Health and Wellbeing Alliance
Sign up to join a webinars to talk to the organisers of the new voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) grant programme, called the Health and Wellbeing Alliance. The Alliance will help the Department of Health, NHS England and Public Health England work with voluntary and community organisations. It replaces the Voluntary Sector Health and Care Strategic Partner Programme.
We encourage applications from organisations (or a partnership of organisations) which can connect groups working in learning disability, autism and with family carers. We would like organisations to apply to support the Transforming Care Programme. The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 22 February 2017.
Webinars are:
Wednesday 1 February 10am - 12pm
Monday 6 February 2.30 - 4.30pm
To join a webinar email HWAlliance@dh.gsi.gov.uk
In the subject line write ‘Webinar’ and date you wish to attend. Please let them know if you have any access requirements.
GP Patient Survey - now available in easy read
NHS England runs a survey of patients every year, to find out about your experiences of your local doctor (your GP). This survey is posted to just some patients (not everyone). For the first time, this survey is also available in easy read. People have already started to ask for the easy read version. This is good news as this will help GPs to improve their services for people with a learning disability.
Online course for transforming learning disability services
NHS England has launched a free online course for anyone working to improve care and support for people living with a learning disability, autism or both.
Enrolment is open now - click this link to go to the enrolment page. For more information email england.si-mooc@nhs.net.
More information
Read the NHS England’s Easy Read Newsletter online. Find out more about personal health budgets, cancer screening for people with a learning disability and transforming care partnerships.
Find out more about the NHS England Learning Disability and Autism Forum.
Link to more news from the Transforming Care Programme.
Resources from the Transforming Care Programme.
Contact us
If you need this email update in an alternative format or have any questions please contact LDEngage@nhs.net
Learning Disability Engagement Team
NHS England
0113 824 9686
Floor 7E58 | Quarry House | Quarry Hill | Leeds | LS2 7UE
Twitter - @LDEngagement
Facebook group – NHS England Learning Disability Engagement
Email – LDEngage@nhs.net