Care improved for patients with learning disabilities

This article is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Care improved for patients with learning disabilities

A new computer alert system to improve health care for people with learning disabilities has been adopted.

The system, introduced by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, flags up on medical records when someone has a learning disability.

This means that whichever trust service a patient is using, health staff will know instantly more about their condition and can make sure anything needed to help them is put in place.

Key information such as what communication needs there may be, carer contacts and consent details are among the information to hand.

Pip Ostell, learning disability locality manager, said: "The system sounds simple but it is a really good way of ensuring colleagues gain key information quickly and effectively so that they can provide the best level of care.

"Once they are alerted to a patient having learning disabilities, they can make sure they use correct communication methods to make sure the patient is fully aware and confident in what is happening."

The computer alert system is being added to the records for all patients receiving care from the trust's learning disability services.

It is due to be extended to cover all records for people under the care of the service over the next few months.