Regulator warning over stigmatising learning disabled

By The Press Association18th December 2014News Northern IrelandLearning Disabilities, News Northern Ireland, NHS

Outdated and stigmatising labels are still placed on people with learning disabilities in hospitals in Northern Ireland, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) said.

Terms such as learning difficulty, mental handicap and mental disability were used frequently and interchangeably, according to the NHS regulator.

It said: “Educating staff in the use of correct terminology is an important element in ensuring that people with learning disabilities feel included and valued when in receipt of services.

“This was mentioned frequently by service users and carers as a problem that immediately creates barriers to good therapeutic and respectful relationships.”

The RQIA published the findings of its review of the implementation of guidelines on caring for people with a learning disability in general hospitals.

Although the review team was satisfied that in the majority of circumstances there was adequate identification of a patient’s learning disability and sharing of this information within general hospital settings, it was apparent that inaccurate and sometimes stigmatising terminology was used.

“Terms such as learning difficulty, mental handicap and mental disability were used frequently and interchangeably and it is important that trusts take action to ensure that proper and appropriate terminology is used.”

People with learning disabilities were very clear that healthcare staff should look at and speak to them first and focus on them, rather than directing attention to carers or parents.

The review added: “Service users who contributed to the review expressed their negative experiences of staff talking around the person with learning disabilities.

“The language used should be clear, the information should be provided in manageable segments and the person should be asked if they have any questions.”

The review made 19 recommendations.

:: All health and social care trusts should have clear guidance regarding the process for establishing with the person with a learning disability (where possible), and their family members, the degree of involvement they wish to have in their care.

:: Trusts should also establish appropriate, accessible mechanisms whereby people with a learning disability and their families and carers are able to comment positively and negatively on their experience of care when using hospitals.

Recommendations were also made surrounding identifying and dealing with pain experienced by patients with learning disabilities, staff training, documentation such as care plans, general record keeping and other legal issues.

The review team found that linkages and liaison between general hospital services and learning disability services was variable and dependent on the insight of individual members of staff, rather than a structured and formalised process.