FRIDAY, 28 NOVEMBER, 2014

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Learning Disability Services in Perth & Kinross praised for success

A strategy put in place to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities in Perth & Kinross has been praised for its success.

Members of the Perth & Kinross Community Health Partnership (CHP) Committee heard about the positive steps taken by NHS Tayside and local authority learning disability services since a new joint strategy was implemented two years ago.

NHS Tayside learning disability service manager Angie McManus and Perth & Kinross Council learning disability service manager Kenny Ogilvy told the committee about the vital support the service is providing to enable people to live happy, healthy and full lives.

The learning disability joint strategy plan is divided into 12 pledge themes, which aim to improve the lives of service users, families and their carers.

The pledges cover a wide variety of support services to meet people’s needs, such as assisting people with learning disabilities to live in their own homes, providing employability services to improve chances of getting paid work and helping service users meet new people and make more friends.

The key achievements of the service include improving the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of people with a learning disability.

P&K CHP learning disability service supported the successful initiative to form a Duke of Edinburgh Awards Group specifically for adults with learning disabilities. Five members of the group, which involved people who have needs additional to learning disability, earned the scheme’s gold award.

Three participants earned silver and one received the bronze award.

The learning disability acute liason service has also been set up to provide additional support to individuals who are admitted to general inpatient units. Hospital teams can access specialist support, advice and education to improve the experience for patients with a learning disability.

Learning disability services now plan to build on their success by continuing to enhance their communication and involvement with carers and parents to increase and widen participation across various groups. A range of engagement methods are now being used, including a supported forum, a regular newsletter and specialist workshops.

Angie McManus said, “The fantastic achievements which have grown from our strategy have been made possible by the support of our partners. Perth & Kinross has a wealth of partnership agencies who are committed to integrated working to improve services.”

Interim Lead Officer of Perth & Kinross CHP Evelyn Devine said, “This is a really positive piece of work. I believe we are moving from traditional models of care to improved community services with full involvement and positive engagement of users and carers.

“This work greatly benefits the lives of people with learning disabilities in Perth & Kinross.”

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134