Presentation to the Royal College of General Practitioners N'I'

1
Presentation to the Royal College of General
Practitioners N.I.

• Dr Paschal McKeown
• 22 March 2006

2
Health for all?

• About Mencap
• About Learning Disability
• Health Issues
• People Talk
• Things to think about

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About Mencap

• Range of services/information
• 60 local groups
• Campaign to end discrimination and prejudice
• Activities delivered through network
• of 7 local offices
• Equal chances, opportunities and rights

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About learning disability

• Definition
• 2 of population
• 16,300 known to services
• Growing areas of need

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About learning disability

• A person with a learning may have difficulties
  with
• - communication
• - understanding
• - remembering
• - making decisions
• Reliance on families to care and support
• Equal Lives report

6
Health issues

• People are living longer
• Higher risk of early death
• Higher prevalence of medical conditions and
  ill-health
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Carers and families
• - points of transition
• - own health
• - older carers

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Health for all?

• Less use of GP services
• Lack of confidence reported by GPs
• Limited uptake of health screening
• Difficulty in diagnosing illness
• Problems identifying people with a learning
  disability
• Role of GP and learning disability services
• Practical help/support to attend

8
People talk

• High levels of satisfaction
• Choice in doctor
• Respect and understanding

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People talk (contd)

• Concerns
• - knowledge of learning disability
• - lack of space/appropriate activities
• when waiting in surgery
• - lack of understanding by other patients

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Concerns (contd)

• - Dealing with sensitive issues in private,
  
• without carer
• - Perceived delay in referring on health
• problems
• - Lack of time to understand information,
• make decisions

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Things to think about

• Identifying people with a learning
• disability
• Appointments flexible, extra time
• Screening and Health checks
• Accessible healthcare information
• Training for practice staff

12
Things to think about (contd)

• Better links with learning disability programme
  of care
• Models that have worked
• Sources of help voluntary organisations like
  Down Syndrome Association, PAPA, Mencap
• Futures Planning