19 February 2009

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Why tackling learning disability is good for everyone
People with learning disabilities are 58 times more likely to die before the age of 50 than members of the general population. This is one of the stark facts in a support pack for PCTs launched to support the clinical directed enhanced service (DES) on learning disabilities. Those with learning disabilities tend to have other health problems. For instance, the incidence of epilepsy is a startling 22 times higher than in the rest of the population. Other problems are acquired: because they are less likely to use screening services, for example, people with learning disabilities are more likely to fall prey to avoidable conditions. And because they are harder to reach through health education, preventative strategies are also less effective. Learning disability creates a range of challenges for those responsible for design and delivery of health services, from directors of commissioning to local healthcare professionals. Expect to see this subject feature more prominently as national health policy comes to terms with Death by Indifference, the 2007 Mencap report, which exposed the inadequacy of existing arrangements and called for urgent measures to improve support and care management. Learning disability challenges health and social care professionals at all levels to stop merely talking and start collaborating. It places new demands on primary care commissioners working with their colleagues in social care to co-design services and prove that they work by building effective monitoring and measurement into the service specification. We may even see this addressed directly in the world class commissioning assurance programme, which will mean that PCTs that fail to act will be called to account. There are the usual economic reasons for addressing this issue. People with learning disabilities make higher than average demands on healthcare services. They are almost twice as likely to spend time in hospital, for example. A more compelling argument is the quality of life of the one and a half million people directly affected and the many more indirectly affected: their carers and families. But there is a wider benefit in getting this right. There is no tougher test of the healthcare community's imagination, compassion and ingenuity in delivering services that meet individual need. Strategies that work for this group will work for us all. > > NHS Networks has seven networks devoted to different aspects of this subject, but more are always welcome, particularly those able to deliver a coherent, partnership based approach and share learning and good practice. We are happy to work with existing local and national networks, whether or not they are currently registered with us, and look forward to hearing from you. The next New@Networks will be sent out on 26 February.
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News items

	NHS medical device training goes online 19.02.09 More
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	Nominate for the Peoples Award for Dignity in Care 19.02.09 More
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	Conference: World Class Commissioning & Benchmarking 17.02.09 More
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Latest additions to the Register of Networks ...
	New: Bristol Health Trainers Supporting individuals throughout Bristol to make and maintain healthy lifestyle changes. Consisting of a dedicated learning difficulties support team. More
	New: Quality Indicators in Practices with Unusual Populations Network This Network provides an 'openspace' to share, discuss and learn how PCTs are adapting indicators for practices where their populations are different to what would be considered the 'normal' population More
	New: Rural Pharmacy Network The Rural Pharmacy Network is a network to share issues around commissioning and contracting of rural pharmacy arrangements. Controlled area, ESPLPS Dispensing Doctors if this is you here's a place to share your problems and solutions More
	Updated: All Wales Mental Health Promotion Network Contact details changed More
	Updated: Worcestershire Diabetes Network Network board minutes added and documents added to other documents section More
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Discussion

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Wanted
	Recycled paper More
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Public Health
	Health Trainers More
	Obesity More
General
	Community Matron employment and pay More
Social Enterprise
	Royal Free: Opportunites not problems More
Transport and travel
	How to get more folks cycling? More
AHP non-medical prescribers (Private forum)
	Networking and sharing information More
Optometric Advisers Network
	Optometric Services to Prisons and Similar More
	first attempts More

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