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Does he have sugar in his tea? Communication between people with learning disabilities, their carers and hospital staff
- Author:
- BELL Ruth
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 17(2), 2012, pp.57-63.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
A consistent theme in the literature has been the detrimental and sometimes fatal consequences of poor communication in relation to the care of people with learning disabilities. This study sought to evaluate a hospital passport tool designed to provide information and improve communication between people with learning disabilities and hospital staff. The Traffic Light Hospital Assessment was designed to provide essential person-centred information in a user friendly format, including life-saving information such as whether a person has dysphagia. This qualitative study was designed to explore people's experiences of good and bad communication in hospital and their experiences of how the passport impacts on that process of communication. The study included: semi-structured interviews with 12 family carers and health and social care staff; a focus group of 8 adults with learning disabilities; and a reflexive journal analysis. The findings consistently reflected the view that the Traffic Light Hospital Assessment Passport can act as a useful multi-agency resource to improve communication and continuity of care for people with learning disabilities. The reasons for poor communication emerging from the study are discussed, together with recommendations for practice development.