Lights on green to improve care

READY, steady, go...from left, Health Care Assistant Irene Stott, Sara Renwick, clinical adviser and chair of Pennine Acute’s dedicated Learning Disability Partnership group, and Ruth Bell, special learning disability hospital liaison nurse.

A PIONEERING scheme that will transform healthcare for patients with learning difficulties has been given the green light.

The traffic light hospital assessment has been launched at the Royal Oldham Hospital to mark Learning Disability week.

A detailed colour-coded form is filled out that people with learning disabilities can take into hospital so that everyone involved with their care is clear of their needs and requirements.

Ruth Bell, specialist learning disability hospital liaison nurse from Oldham Community Health Services (part of NHS Oldham), who developed the scheme, said: “It is well known that despite often having greater health needs people with learning disabilities do not receive a fair deal from health services.

“This package provides a means of communication and clear guidance for hospital staff, people with learning disabilities and their carers. It ensures that each individual’s needs are made known and are met.”

Cath Norbury who has a brother and sister with learning disabilities and is a personal assistant at Pennine Acute and a member of Pennine Acute’s Learning Disability Partnership group, said: “The hospital assessment form really provides a voice for those who can’t communicate.

“Before it would be down to relatives and carers to inform staff verbally of the likes and dislikes of someone like my brother or sister but messages were seldom passed onto the whole team.”

On the form, must-know information such as medication details and allergies, is red, information on communication skills, how the patient indicates pain and feeding and care advice are amber and less essential details, such as likes and dislikes, are green.

The form also includes discharge information which provides clear details about the patient’s stay in hospital and makes sure that any additional needs are made known to whoever takes over their care.

Learning Disability week has been arranged by Sara Renwick, clinical adviser and chairman of Pennine Acute’s dedicated Learning Disability Partnership group, which was set up to look at and improve services for people with a learning disability in hospital.

During the week, a series of roadshows will be held at the Rochdale Road hospital where staff will be on hand to discuss the details of the initiative with colleagues.

During the week a new learning disabilities information page will be introduced to the trust’s internal website so all employees are up to speed.