Pledge to improve healthcare for people with learning disabilities

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (NHS HMR) has signed up to Mencap’s new ‘Getting it right’ charter, as part of its commitment to ensure that people with a learning disability get the healthcare they have a right to.

By signing up to the nine-point charter, the local Primary Care Trust is pledging to improve health services for people with a learning disability, including support in hospitals, access to an annual health check, awareness training for staff, providing accessible information and treating patients with dignity and respect.

NHS HMR has recently established a patient experience group for people with learning disabilities, where patients can give their views on services and what they think would meet their needs.

To support the charter, Mencap will give local health professionals practical guidance and spell out the adjustments they need to make to their working practices when treating someone with a learning disability to ensure fair and equal healthcare.

Karen Hurley, Associate Director of Commissioning at NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, commented: “By signing up to the Mencap charter, we are showing a real commitment to improving local services for people with learning disabilities. We continue to work in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council and have made good progress over the past year, such as establishing a patient experience group and the borough’s Learning Disability Partnership Board.”

David Congdon, Mencap’s head of campaigns and policy, said: “Our charter sets out a standard of practice and will make health trusts accountable to people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We welcome NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale's commitment to constantly strive to uphold these standards and help end indifference in the NHS.”

For more information on the Getting it right campaign and charter, and to show your support visit: www.mencap.org.uk/gettingitright