Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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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.
A systematic review of hospital experiences of people with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- IACONO Teresa, et al
- Journal article citation:
- BMC Health Services Research, 14(505), 2014, Online only
- Publisher:
- BioMed Central Ltd
Background: People with intellectual disability are at risk of poor hospital experiences and outcomes. The aims were to conducts a content and quality review of research into the acute hospital experiences of both people with intellectual disabilities and their carers, and to identify research gaps. Method: A systematic search was conducted of primary research between 2009 and 2013 that addressed the experiences of people with learning disabilities and their carers in general acute care hospitals. Quality appraisal tools yielded scores for quantitative and qualitative studies, and overarching themes across studies were sought. Results: Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria. Quality scores were 6/8 for a survey, and 2/11-9/11 (mean =5.25) for qualitative studies/components. Content analysis revealed seven over-arching themes covering individuals fear of hospital encounters, carer responsibilities, and problems with delivery of care in hospitals including staff knowledge, skills and attitudes. Conclusions: The review of eligible papers revealed that despite 20 years of research and government initiatives, people with intellectual disability continue to have poor hospital experiences. The need for research to identify and investigate care at specific points of encounter across a hospital journey (such as admission, diagnostic testing, placement on a ward, and discharge) as well as to include people with a diversity of disabilities is discussed in terms of potential to influence policy and practice across health and disability sectors. (Publisher abstract)
Access to secondary healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities: a review of the literature
- Authors:
- BACKER Clare, CHAPMAN Melanie, MITCHELL Duncan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22(6), November 2009, pp.514-525.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
There is growing evidence that people with intellectual disabilities have greater healthcare needs than the general population and that these needs are often unmet. Recently, increasing attention has been drawn to poor care received by people with intellectual disabilities when admitted to hospital. A literature search was conducted to identify studies on experiences of secondary healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities. Studies were published between January 1990 and March 2008. Thirteen studies were identified. Important influences on the experience of hospital care were: individual factors; the carer's role; the attitudes, knowledge and communicative style of health staff; and the physical environment. A range of recommendations and initiatives have been developed to improve hospital care. It is concluded that more research is needed, given that so few studies are published in this area. Initiatives to improve access to secondary healthcare need to be evaluated to inform the development of services.
The experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities and their carers in general hospitals: a focus group study
- Authors:
- GIBBS S.M., BROWN M.J., MUIR W.J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52(12), December 2008, pp.1061-1077.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with intellectual disabilities (ID) have higher levels of health needs compared with the general population, many of which are unrecognised and unmet. While there has been interest and research into the primary health provision for this group, there has been a more limited focus on addressing their care received in general hospitals. Access to health care has predominated in the literature, with less attention being paid to the experiences of people with ID as users of general hospital care. A qualitative focus group methodology was used. Eleven adults with ID, nine parents and five paid carers of adults with ID participated. The focus groups were audiotaped and transcriptions were analysed using principles of grounded theory. The analysed data highlighted key themes identified from the experiences of participants. These were the interrelated issues of feelings, particularly anxiety and fear, communication and behaviour problems; the practicalities of being in or attending hospitals, including the role played by carers; and issues around perceived discrimination and negative comments. The experiences of participants in this study concur with and add to concern expressed in recent reports and published research. Wide ranging implications are discussed for further research, wider policy development, clinical practice, local health service provision and education of health professionals.
Informal carers of former long-stay hospital residents with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- McGILLOWAY Sinead, DONNELLY Michael, MAYS Nicholas
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23(4), 1995, pp.152-155.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study sets out to describe and analyse the nature and consequences of care for a small number of informal carers providing full-time care for people with learning disabilities discharged from long-stay hospitals between 1987 and 1992. The findings showed that these carers, whilst not adversely affected by their caring roles, did experience restrictions on their personal and social lives as well as increased anxiety and physical fatigue. In contrast with findings from other studies of carers of people with learning disabilities, they had more difficulty with practical caring tasks/activities than with problem behaviour. Although generally satisfied with the professional support received, carers indicated that they would benefit from more support, especially holiday and weekend respite care.
Learning, candour and accountability: a review of the way NHS trusts review and investigate the deaths of patients in England
- Author:
- CARE QUALITY COMMISSION
- Publisher:
- Care Quality Commission
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 76
- Place of publication:
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Reports on a review carried out by the Care Quality Commission to investigate how NHS trusts identify, investigate and learn from the deaths of people under their care. This review was carried out in response to the very low numbers of investigations or reviews of deaths at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. It draws on evidence from a national survey of NHS trusts and visits to 12 acute, community healthcare and mental health trusts; the views of over 100 families, collected through interviews, events and an online form; and consultation with charities and NHS professionals. The findings are discussed in five areas: the involvement of families and carers; the identification and reporting of deaths; making decisions to review and investigate; decisions to review or investigate; and governance arrangement and learning. Examples of promising practice are also included. The results found that that many carers and families had a poor experience of investigations and are not always treated with respect and honesty. This was especially true of deaths involving people with a learning disability or people with mental problems. The review also found that opportunities are missed to learn across the system from deaths that may have been prevented. It concludes that learning from deaths needs to be a much greater priority for all working within health and social care. The report makes recommendations for improvement. (Edited publisher abstract)
Hospital experiences of older people with intellectual disability: responses of group home staff and family members
- Authors:
- WEBBER Ruth, BOWERS Barbara, BIGBY Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 35(3), September 2010, pp.155-164.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
A subset of data from a longitudinal study was used to examine perspectives of group home staff and family members concerning hospital experiences of group home residents with intellectual disabilities, including the strategies they used to support residents while in hospital. Focus was on 17 residents, aged 49 to 81 years at first interview, living in group homes in Victoria, who were tracked prospectively over 3 years. A total of 17 family members, 16 house supervisors, 11 accommodation program managers, and 11 staff in aged care facilities were interviewed. Twelve residents had been hospitalised at least once during the study and all had been hospitalised within the last 5 years. Staff and family reported poor support and treatment of the residents while in hospital. All positive experiences occurred in hospitals that had clear policies, resources and systems in place to address the special needs of people with an intellectual disability. Several strategies were used by staff and family members to improve the hospital experience. These included spending as much time as possible in the hospital; preparing information packages to prepare the resident for the hospital stay; attempting to partner with hospital staff; and taking on an advocacy role. Ageing of the family members and staffing implications for group homes complicated efforts to improve hospital experiences. The authors conclude that the current absence of systems to accommodate the special needs of people with intellectual disability in hospital settings has significant consequences for group homes, family members, hospital staff and residents.
Time to decide who decides
- Author:
- HOLMAN Andrew
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 12(1), July 1998, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
People with learning difficulties are being increasingly affected by legislation about consent. Reviews the recent Bournewood case and outlines some proposals for a better system which have been presented to the Lord Chancellor as part of the consultation exercise on the Green Paper, 'Who Decides?'
The purchaser/provider partnership: developing the mixed economy in Wigan
- Author:
- WALKER Bernard
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care Management and Planning, 4(3), June 1996, pp.87-93.
- Publisher:
- Pavillion
Presents an historical perspective on the approach adopted by Wigan Social Services Department to the development of a mixed economy of care following the NHS and Community Care Act, 1990. It highlights in particular the opportunities provided by the Special Transitional Grant, and how these were taken in the borough. Details are given of service innovations in residential and nursing home care, meals on wheels, services for carers and learning disability services.
The patchwork quilt
- Author:
- LINDSAY Meg
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 26.5.94, 1994, p.20.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Respite care is often made from bits and pieces from services which are meant to be integrated, but not at the top of many agendas. This means that respite care uses borrowed funding and secondhand policies and practices. A survey in Scotland examined four types of respite care: hospital, residential, family-based, and domiciliary for seven main groups: older people, people with dementia, those with mental health problems, and children and adults with learning and physical disabilities, to find out the reality for carers. Also explores the possibilities for improving services for them.