NHS ‘Exemplars’ to help close disability inequality gap

The NHS has called on local NHS organisations to become learning disability ‘Exemplars’ to help put the health of people with a learning disability firmly on the agenda.

Seven Exemplars will trailblaze new ways of working to help make improvements to health and access to care, focusing on increasing the uptake of annual health checks (to at least 75 per cent) and the number of people with a learning disability who get their flu jab each year.

Important lessons from trailblazers will be rolled out as good practice across the NHS. The NHS has written to local areas seeking expressions of interest to become exemplar sites who, if successful, will receive a share of £250,000 for their plans to improve the lives of people with a learning disability.

NHS England has also announced that a campaign encouraging people with a learning disability to get an annual health check with the ambition to ensure that three quarters of people take up the offer will also be launched later this year.

The NHS will also pursue action to train 5,000 paid and unpaid carers to spot the early signs of deterioration in people with a learning disability.

Ray James, who leads NHS England’s work to transform care for people with a learning disability, said: “This important report reminds us why improving the health of people with a learning disability is a priority for the NHS and it is vital we use this to make real and lasting change to help close the health inequality gap seen throughout society. Annual health checks are crucial in identifying and tackling major health conditions and preventable causes of early death with trailblazing new exemplars working to rapidly increase uptake to help save lives.

“Over recent months NHS staff have rightly focussed on responding to the biggest global health threat in history but we have also continued to work closely with partners to monitor the impact, there has never been a more important time for people with a learning disability to get their flu jab and annual health check.”

The the fourth annual learning disability review and action report have been published, with data showing that more than 90 per cent of eligible reviews had been completed, or due to be completed shortly, with the NHS on track to complete the backlog by the end of the year.

The NHS has today written to local areas seeking expressions of interest to become exemplar sites who, if successful, will receive a share of £250,000 for their plans to improve the lives of people with a learning disability.

The Department of Health and Social Care recently announced that it is providing new funding to help to move people with learning disabilities and autistic people into more appropriate care.