Community feedback leads to better care for people with learning disabilities
Healthwatch Herefordshire worked closely with Taurus Healthcare and WBC (Wargrave, Cantilupe and Belmont surgeries) to find out what people with learning disabilities experience during annual health checks and vaccines in Herefordshire.
Participants were asked questions through a friendly and accessible letter with pictures and a link to a video explaining the project.
What would make health checks and COVID-19 vaccine appointments easier?
Overall, many participants had a positive experience with an annual health check. They felt that the health practitioners they spoke to in person were kind.
However, some felt that they were not spoken to directly and wanted to be talked to as adults. Others found it difficult to understand health practitioners as they used medical terms or spoke too quickly or quietly.
Most people said they took a parent, carer or support worker to appointments to support them, which they felt was necessary.
When asked about the COVID-19 vaccine, some participants felt that showing a film at the beginning of their appointment would be useful so they know what to expect and would help to manage their nerves and anxieties. Others suggested explaining the possible pain levels of the vaccine or being gentler when administering it.
What changes were recommended as a result?
Healthwatch Herefordshire recommended making short videos about annual health checks and COVID-19 vaccines. These videos were made by Healthwatch Herefordshire with people with a learning disability. They were acting in the videos to demonstrate what a vaccine appointment or a health check appointment would involve. This explained what to expect and address fears in an accessible way. The videos will improve people's understanding of why health checks and vaccines are important in an easy-to-understand way.
Healthwatch Herefordshire also highlighted that invitation letters need to be accessible for people with a learning disability and not just for their parents or carers. This includes receiving an Easy Read version with the original letter.
During annual health check appointments, Healthwatch Herefordshire also recommended that healthcare practitioners speak slowly and clearly, avoiding any complex medical terms and giving the individual time to respond. If a carer is also attending, they advised practitioners to talk to the patient while including the carer.
Some young people told Healthwatch they feel they are not a priority, so Healthwatch recommended to practitioners they should explain why health checks and vaccines are important.
As a result of their interviews, Healthwatch Herefordshire also recommended parents and carers are informed about the importance of health checks and vaccines, as most people with a learning disability rely heavily on their support.
Recognition for improving local services
Healthwatch Herefordshire were recently highly commended at our national Healthwatch Impact Award for their work to improve the way annual health checks are delivered to people with learning disabilities.
