Learning Disability Social Care Provider Covid19

Resource PackEdition 1: June 2020

Contact: england.learningdisabilitynetwork@nhs.net Twitter: @necldnetwork

The North East and Cumbria Learning Disability Network strives to be the best place in England for people with a learning disability to live. Through the Learning Disability Mortality Review Programme (LeDeR) we know that people with learning disability die up to 30 years sooner, than the general population, of preventable causes. We know from the LeDeR annual report that people with learning disabilities are dying from a range of health inequalities with some of the most common being around constipation, pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia, sepsis, epilepsy, dementia, ischaemic heart disease and inappropriate use of DNA CPR. The North East and Cumbria learning disability network work programme aims to tackle the health inequalities people with learning disabilities face by working with our partners across health and social care, the community voluntary sector and people and families.

The Covid19 pandemic has brought challenging and unfamiliar times to us all. We have therefore created this resource pack aimed at learning disability social care providers which includes a range of resources and advice to help support providers and people with a learning disability access health services.

Learning Disability GP Annual Health ChecksAnnual health checks are available to everyone with a learning disability age 14+. It is really important that people with a learning disability have their annual health check as it helps to keep them fit and well and can identify any illnesses or issues that haven’t been picked up.

GP practices will be starting to invite people for their annual health checks. We expect they will be carried out via a blended approach of face to face and virtual consultations appropriate to the needs of practices and patients. We know there will be challenges around people with learning disabilities having access to digital technology, consent and capacity, communication, PPE and a fear for people to access health settings.

The GP will likely send an easy read annual health check invitation letter and an annual health check pre questionnaire for the person to complete. A copy of the questionnaire can be found below. It is really important that this questionnaire is completed ahead of the health check and given back to the GP Practice, it can be completed with the help of social care providers and the person. You can use the questionnaire below if one has not been sent: Please note the presentation may open in presenter view and not via Microsoft PowerPoint. If this happens please click the icon below so it is highlighted, then right click, copy, then paste on to your desktop or a shared drive. The PowerPoint is printable and can be completed online, it is recommended the PowerPoint version is used but a printable word version is also enclosed.

Flu ImmunisationPeople with a learning disability are in a clinically at-risk group and entitled to free flu immunisation. Through the Learning Disability Mortality Review (LeDeR) programme we know that people with a learning disability are at a higher risk of dying from a respiratory illness than that of the general population. It’s really important that people have their flu vaccination to help tackle this. A range of easy read resources can be found here.

A presentation aimed at social care providers staff highlighting the importance or flu with a range of advice can be found here:

Cancer ScreeningCancer screening has been paused since the Covid19 lock down with some programmes only offering screening to their high-risk patients. Services are now looking at how they can restart inviting people for screening.

To enable social care providers to support people with a learning disabiltiy to access cancer screening, we have developed the Cancer screening social care resource tool.

This is available through the Northern Cancer Alliance web site or for a hard copy contact Julie.tucker11@nhs.net

Cancer screening easy read materials are available through Public Health England. These can be accessed by clicking on the pictures below:

For more information on cancer screening and cancer awareness, including Covid19 specific guidance consult the Northern Cancer Alliance website. https://www.northerncanceralliance.nhs.uk/

PPEv

Accessing Health Services NHS England have developed some easy read guidance to support people with a learning disability on how to access health services. The guidance can be found on the attachment below:

PPESome people with a learning disability will find it scary coming in to contact with anyone wearing PPE. An easy read guide about why people are wearing PPE can be found here.

Some people with a learning disability will find it difficult to communicate whilst somebody is wearing PPE. Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS FT speech and language team have developed the below guidance which will help support you: Saying Goodbye

An easy read guide to support people with a learning disability losing a loved one to Covid19. The document can be accessed below:

Covid19 Easy Read InfoA range of resources developed by Mencap for people and professionals about Covid19.Click here

Learning Disability Matters for FamiliesA range of resources have been put in one place to support family resilience and health and wellbeing during Covid19. Click here.

Social Care Institute for Excellence

The SCIE have developed a range of resources around Covid19 for social care staff and personal assistants of people with a learning disability or autism. Please click here.

Stop and WatchStop and Watch is a tool that everyone can use to help spot the warning signs that a person's condition is deteriorating. By recognising these signs you can reduce a person’s risk of morbidity, further disability, organ failure, or sometimes even death. To access the tool and a range of resources please click here.

Don’t Miss Out CampaignThe Mencap Don’t Miss Out Campaign is about ensuring people with a learning disability are on the GP learning disability register. By being on the register it means the GP knows the person has a learning disability and a range of support can be offered to the person. To find out more about the campaign please click here.