What is a learning disability?
The Department of Health (2001) publication Valuing People defines a learning disability as meaning the presence of:
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A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence) with
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A reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning)
These must have started before adulthood and produced a lasting effect on development.
How many of the Trust's patients have a learning disability?
It is estimated that around 1.5 million people (2.5% of the UK population) have a learning disability.
In 2010/11, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust had 29,146 adult
inpatient spells and in excess of 137,000 outpatient spells. This equates
to 1,450 potential face-to-face interactions with people with learning
difficulties.
Learning disability (LD) at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
The Trust has a 'Healthcare for All' steering group, which held its first meeting in January 2009, in response to the Healthcare for All report by Sir Jonathan Michael in June 2008.
The steering group aims to improve access to healthcare for people with LD and other disabilities and aspires to ensure broad representation from services within the Trust (including adult and paediatric) and from partner agencies.
The current lead for LD, Felicia Cox, commenced this role in June 2010 and chairs the Healthcare for All steering group. Felicia works closely with Eve Cartwright, the Trust lead for disability.
