for people with Learning Disabilities

The Learning Disability team from Salford Care Organisation, part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust is making big strides to help improve care for people with learning disabilities.

They are working with colleagues in GP practices to give health professionals like GPs and practice nurses practical support when their patient has learning disabilities.

Amanda Anderton, Clinical Nurse, and lead on this project, explains why it is essential:

“People with learning disabilities face serious health inequalities and sadly die on average 25 years sooner and often from treatable and avoidable conditions.

“We know our primary care colleagues want to ensure their patients with learning disabilities get the best care possible. We’re there to look at how they may need to adapt how they do things, for example, when their patient needs check-ups, tests, or vaccinations. We’re also helping with items like easy-read materials.”

Most recently, the team helped people with learning disabilities access COVID-19 vaccines. They ran local specialty clinics in partnership with GP practices and provided home visits for people who were unable to attend clinics.

The next programme the team will be focussing on is working with GPs to provide support with cancer screening and improving diagnosis rates.