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Annual health checks: uptake in Wales and users' views
- Authors:
- PERRY Jonathan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 92, Summer 2009, pp.6-10.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
All adults with learning disabilities in Wales are entitled to annual health checks. This article reports on the outcome of a series of focus groups which were conducted with people with learning disabilities to find out their views about health checks. It also contains a table showing how many people in each local health board area of Wales had a health check in 2006/7 and 2007/8.
The impact of repeated health checks for adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- FELCE David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(6), November 2008, pp.585-596.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
An earlier study found that a structured health check conducted in primary care identified clinically significant previously unrecognized morbidity among adults with intellectual disabilities. This study aimed to examine whether follow-up health checks would identify equally significant newly identified morbidity and to investigate this as a function of the interval between health checks. Adults with intellectual disabilities who had had an initial health check (n = 108) participated: group 1 (n = 39) had a repeat health check an average of 28 months later, group 2 (n = 36) had a repeat health check an average of 44 months later and group 3 (n = 33) did not have a subsequent health check. Thirty participants in group 1 had a second repeat health check an average of 14 months after the first repeat. An audit of the results of the health check established whether morbidity was newly identified. Information was collected on each participant's age, gender, place of residence, skills, challenging behaviour, social abilities, psychiatric status and perceived health. Comparisons within groups over time or between groups at a point in time were made using non-parametric statistics. A similar number of newly identified health problems were found at the repeat health check compared to the initial check. The nature of needs identified was also similar. There was no association between the number of new needs identified at the repeat health check and the interval between it and the initial check. The perceived health of participants receiving health checks tended to decline. As the level of new need revealed by repeated checks at even the shortest interval since the previous check studied here (mean = 14 months) was as high as that found by the initial check, annual health checking could be a justifiable intervention for this population. Decline in perceived health may represent more accurate assessment by carers following feedback from the health checks.
Training of residential social care staff to meet the needs of older people with intellectual disabilities who develop age-related health problems: an exploratory study
- Authors:
- NORTHWAY Ruth, JENKINS Robert, HOLLAND-HART Daniella
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(5), 2017, pp.911-921.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Despite awareness of the age related health needs of people with intellectual disabilities little is known regarding how residential social care staff are prepared to meet such needs. Methods: Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews from 14 managers of supported living settings. Transcripts were thematically analysed. Findings: Staff may work in supported living settings with no prior experience of care work, and previous knowledge/experience of supporting people in relation to their health is not required. Whilst health related training is provided there is a lack of specific training regarding healthy ageing, and training seems to be reactive to changing needs of tenants meaning that proactive monitoring for changes in health status may not occur. Conclusions: Whilst some training is provided for residential social care staff in relation to health and ageing a more proactive approach is required which should include a focus on healthy ageing. (Edited publisher abstract)
The impact of checking the health of adults with intellectual disabilities on primary care consultation rates, health promotion and contact with specialists
- Authors:
- FELCE David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(6), November 2008, pp.597-602.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Studies have found that health checking in primary care led to the identification of previously unrecognized morbidity among adults with intellectual disabilities. This study aimed to evaluate whether health checking stimulated increased consultation with the general practitioner or another member of the primary care team, increased health promotion actions undertaken outside the health check or increased contact with specialists. Data on the above three categories of activity were abstracted from the medical records of 77 adult participants with intellectual disabilities for eight 6-month periods before and seven 6 month periods after they had undergone a health check. Comparisons of access to care before and after the health check were made using non-parametric statistics. On average, participants had 5.4 and 1.8 primary care and specialist consultations per year respectively. There were no significant differences in either rate before and after the health check. The frequency of health promotion actions increased significantly after the health check from a mean of 1.2 to 2.2/year. Comparison of the primary care and specialist consultations rates of people with intellectual disabilities with those for the general population might suggest that the former have greater access to these services. However, comparison to the general practitioner consultation rates of patients with other chronic conditions would seem to indicate that contact with primary care may not be commensurate with need. Attention to health promotion is inadequate.
Neglect of people with intellectual disabilities: a failure to act?
- Authors:
- JENKINS Robert, DAVIES Rachel
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 10(1), March 2006, pp.35-45.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Evidence from numerous studies strongly suggests that many people with intellectual disabilities have greater health needs and also have restricted access to health care compared to the general population. Given this evidence and that this has existed for some time, when does failure to act on this knowledge constitute a form of abuse? The motivation for this article emerged from both observations made during a wider study on abuse policies and practice and a growing awareness that abuse literature is not fully engaged with a broader definition of neglect. This article considers these issues with reference to the wider context of duties of care, freedom of choice and the attitudes of staff that shape responses to abuse. Practitioners are challenged to consider what can be done to overcome neglect with specific reference to the neglect of health needs.
Meeting the health needs of older people with intellectual disabilities: exploring the experiences of residential social care staff
- Authors:
- NORTHWAY Ruth, HOLLAND-HART Daniella, JENKINS Robert
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 25(3), 2017, pp.923-931.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Older people with intellectual disabilities often experience high levels of health needs and multiple morbidities but they may be supported by residential care staff with little or no previous experience of identifying and meeting health needs. Little is known regarding how they undertake this health-related role and this exploratory study seeks to address this gap. A purposive sample of 14 managers of supported living accommodation in Wales were interviewed in 2014 to determine their experiences of supporting tenants in relation to age-related health needs. The semi-structured interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. Three of the emerging themes are reported in this paper: meeting health needs, the consequences of ageing and relationships. Findings indicate that residential care staff support older people with intellectual disabilities with complex and multiple health needs: they monitor health status, support access to healthcare, provide additional support arising from changing health needs and advocate for tenants in the context of healthcare. However, their role is often not understood by healthcare professionals. The importance of staff having a long-term relationship with those they support was identified as being important to identifying any health-related changes. The need to develop effective relationships with healthcare staff was also noted. It is concluded that there is a need for better understanding among health staff of the role of residential social care workers and for further research regarding health-related communication. (Publisher abstract)
Health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities: problems and possibilities in primary care
- Authors:
- NOCON Andrew, SAYCE Liz, NADIRSHAW Zenobia
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 13(1), April 2008, pp.28-36.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article reports on the results of a wide and diverse research programme, including reviews of the relevant literature, consultation, area studies and an inquiry panel, designed to gather a complete picture of these health inequalities and aspects of health services that permit them. The focus of the investigation was primary care health care services delivered by general practices in England and Wales.
The mental health of young people looked after by local authorities in Wales: the report of a survey in 2002/2003 by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of the Welsh Assemby Government
- Authors:
- MELTZER Howard, et al
- Publisher:
- Office for National Statistics,|Stationery Office
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 164p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report presents the findings of a survey of the mental health of young people, aged 5-17, looked after by local authorities in Wales. The first part of the report focuses on the prevalence rates of mental disorders among young people looked after by local authorities. The second part shows a range of information including their background, personal and familial characteristics, physical health, use of services and social functioning.
Falling through the gap not an option
- Author:
- HOPKINS Graham
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 19.09.02, 2002, pp.46-47.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Young people with profound and complex learning difficulties have often been left out of the process of planning their own futures, but now a project set up in Wales aims to give them more options by focusing on each individual and creating personalised portfolios.
Promoting healthy lifestyles for people with learning disabilities: a survey of provider organisations
- Author:
- TURNER Stephen
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 24(4), 1996, pp.138-144.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Gives the results of a postal survey of UK provider organisations which investigated the nature and organisation of healthy lifestyle initiatives currently being offered to people with learning disabilities. Seventy percent of social services or social work departments in England, Scotland and Wales were represented in the survey.