Promoting equitable health and social care for people with Learning

Promoting equitable health and social care for people with
Learning Disabilities in Herts. Supporting best practice.
Winter 2013 Edition, December 2013
Produced by: The Community Learning Disability Nursing Service
Welcome to our first community newsletter. We are setting out our
service in this inaugural issue; to let you as health professionals
know what we do. The magazine is packed with news, information
and resources to help you make reasonable adjustments to
accommodate the needs of people with learning disabilities.
centre pages: these are designed as a ‘pull out’
to use with patients, providing information for
learning disabled patients to stay well through
the winter months.
The Purple All-Stars are a success story across
the County; they are groups of people with a
learning disability using the creative arts to give
health promotion messages.
Creative arts specialist Kate Harding describes
the Purple All-Stars’ journey; how important
good health messages can be promoted by
people with learning disabilities themselves.
Their performances are fun, they are doing it for
real and they will be in your area!
Our teams of nurses support adults with learning
disabilities to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
From our two feature articles I hope that you
come away with a real feeling about how we
work with others including GP’s and health
professionals in your area.
Alison Fitzgerald, Strategic Lead Nurse for
the teams advises:
“We are enthusiastic and motivated teams of
specialists who are passionate about ensuring
equitable health and social care for people
with learning disabilities. This newsletter
aims to help us to help improve health care
practice delivered to these service users.”
We are here to help as a valuable resource
for heath professionals, bringing a wealth of
experience and expertise in supporting adults
with a learning disability. Take a look at the
We also introduce the Purple Star Strategy in
this issue. Like a kite mark this brand and quality
improvement programme aims to improve
health outcomes for people with learning
disability by supporting healthcare providers
to make reasonable adjustments and deliver a
good quality service. You can learn about this
and have fun by following the Purple Star.
Oh, and don’t forget you can try out our healthy
recipe, the fruit hedgehog and as a festive treat
the seasonal cookies.
Read and enjoy!
Fay Heatley, Information Quality
Officer Health Liason Team
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1&2
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3
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4-7
Meet the Teams
There are 10 specialist nursing teams working to improve
health outcomes for people with learning disabilities in
Hertfordshire County Council and every GP practice in
Hertfordshire has an allocated link nurse.
The Fruit Hedgehog
A healthy festive food recipe, easy and fun to make.
Keep your feet happy in the winter and
How to look after yourself this winter
An easy read centre pull-out, designed as a useful resource
when working with patients with a learning disability.
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8
The Purple All Stars
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9
Follow the star
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12
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie
Read all about the fabulous Purple All Stars who are
delivering health promotion messages in Hertfordshire the
creative way.
Learn and have fun with the Purple Star Strategy
Word Search.
A recipe with a twist. A tasty festive treat and a home
made gift all in one!
Community Learning
Disability Nursing Service
in Herts County Council
Within Health and Community Services there are
ten specialist teams who provide expertise in the
field of learning disabilities.
These are integrated social work and nursing
teams who work in partnership with others to
support adults with their health and social care.
The nursing service is delivered via the following:
7 Community Learning Disability
Nursing Teams
2 Transition Teams
A Health Liaison Team
and Specialist Epilepsy Nurses
The teams can receive referrals from anyone
and will ensure that the appropriate professionals
are allocated to work with the individual.
The teams are set up to support individuals:
Make independent choices about their health
With physical health problems
To use “My Purple Folder”
To contact the right health services
With their mental wellbeing
With their medication
The teams will also:
Work with others who support individuals
Work with families and carers as appropriate
Advise on “Reasonable Adjustments”
Get involved with Continuing Care
Assessments
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1
T iming
E nvironment
A ttitude
Communication
H elp
Community Learning
Disability Nurses
This team works with adults with a learning
disability supporting them to keep safe in the
community. Each GP practice in Herts is
allocated a link Community Learning Disability
Nurse. They provide advice and guidance to
individuals, their families and carers. They will
undertake a nursing assessment and provide a
care plan and help the individual or their care
team implement it.
From the start of 2014 any new referrals that are
opened to the Community Learning Disability
Nurses will receive a Welcome Pack containing
information about the local team, how they can
help, details of the Purple Folder, information
about the Annual Health Check and provide the
opportunity to give feedback on the service.
Transition Team
This team works with young people with
Learning and Physical Disabilities aged between
18 – 25 years old. They support their service
users in the transition from children’s services to
adult health services.
Specialist Epilepsy Team
This team provides specialist advice relating to
individuals with a Learning Disability and their
Epilepsy. They will provide guidance, protocols
and a care plan around managing the individual’s
epilepsy and their medication.
They are nurse prescribers and also make
recommendations for Assistive Technology
where appropriate.
These teams operate from either
Stevenage – Farnham House – covering:
Welwyn & Hatfield, East Herts, and Stevenage
& North Herts
Hemel Hempstead – Apsley – covering:
Herstmere, St Albans, Dacorum, and Watford
& 3 Rivers
If you would like further information telephone
on 0300 123 4042
Or visit: www.hertsdirect.org
Health Liaison Team
A nurse led team who work innovatively and
creatively across all health care services to
support people with learning disabilities to get
equitable health care.
They work collaboratively with service users,
carers and health professionals to make sure
that the health needs of the individual are
identified and met. This includes making
“reasonable adjustments” to ensure that the
individual gets the best possible treatment.
The professional leadership of the wider
community nursing service sits within this team.
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2
Healthy festive food. Easy and fun to make.
Ingredients:
How to make:
1.
2.
Large orange.
Selection of fruit like
grapes/pineapple and
strawberry’s chopped
if needed.
3.
4.
Raisins for the
eyes and nose.
Cocktail sticks.
1Cut a small slice of the orange to make a flat surface.
2Turn the orange over and place 3 cocktail sticks in place of eyes and nose.
3Put raisins on to cocktail sticks.
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3
4Fill cocktail sticks with fruit.
5Place sticks on to orange all over.
6Admire, eat and enjoy.
Here are two easy read leaflets for you to use with your
patients. This will be a regular feature in our newsletters.
How should I look after my feet?
It is important to:
Wear shoes that fit you and are right for
each activity you do.
Wash your feet with soap. Wash between
the toes and around and under the toe
nails. Rinse with warm water.
Keep your feet clean and dry.
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4
Chilblains are small, itchy, swollen red
patches on the skin when you get too
cold.
Apply cream and rub into the hard skin.
Keep your toenails trimmed and tidy.
You should look after your feet everyday.
Wiggling your toes is good for circulation
in your feet.
Move your feet a few times to get the
blood flowing to your feet.
Wear comfortable slippers to Keep your
feet warm.
If there is any discomfort or pain to your feet, ask to see your Doctor for advice.
Contact details:
Josie Luchmun, Senior Community Nurse
Community Learning Disability Team
Page
5
East Herts & Broxbourne
Tel: 01438 843111
During winter it is important to look after yourself.
Here are some tips for staying healthy.
Eat Well.
Hot meals and drinks will help you keep warm.
Breakfast.
Lunch.
Dinner.
Try to eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
At least 5 a day.
Avoid unhealthy foods like fatty fried food/sugary food.
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6
Lots of people get flu in the winter.
It can make your body hurt and give you a bad cold.
You can have medicine called a vaccine to keep you safe
from flu. The medicine is in an injection. Given by a nurse
or doctor in your arm, once a year.
Ask your doctor or nurse about the flu vaccine (injection).
If you do have flu rest and drink a lot.
Stay inside if it is very cold.
Wear warm clothes, a hat and scarf and gloves
When going out in the cold.
It is important to keep your home warm in the winter
You might be able to get some money to help keep your
home warm.
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Call Herts Help on 0300 123 4044
Or email info@hertshelp.net
T h e P u r p le A ll
T h e P u r p le A ll S t a r s
The Purple All Stars were formed in St Albans
in 2011. They are a group of people with
learning disabilities who deliver health promotion
messages using creative arts.
The Purple All Stars have performed at many
events throughout the years including the
county show and Purple Star Arts Festival.
They have been involved in creating large
pieces of graffiti art, pieces of dance and
performing in plays.
The Purple All Stars have delivered pieces of
role-play used in the interviewing process for
Hertfordshire County Council and performed
work individually at training conferences.
Getting healthcare right for
people with learning disabilities
“
By singing, dancing and
acting we teach others
about the health needs
of people with learning
disabilities. Being a
Purple All Star is great
fun and I'm much more
confident now
”
Come and join us
To become a Purple All Star contact
the Health Liaison Team on
01438 845372
www.hertsdirect.org/purplestar
There are now Purple All Star Groups in St Albans,
Letchworth and Kings Langley. A new group will
be starting in Cheshunt in the new year.
The Purple All Stars will be performing at the
‘Through Our Eyes’ event on the 13th December
2013 and in the new year at ‘The Love Yourself
Love Your Life’ events to be held on the 11th and
14th of February 2014.
Their work on promoting reasonable adjustments
for people with learning disability has lead to the
development of a rap and pop video which can
be seen on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvgJgBofIXQ
www.hertsdirect.org
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Follow the Purple Star
Read all about the unique and innovative Purple Star Strategy while finding the key words in our
Word Search. These key words are printed in BOLD and Underlined below and can be found
horizontally, vertically or diagonally in the puzzle.
1. The Purple Star STRATEGY was launched in
December 2012
2.
The Health Liaison Team (HLT) worked in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire, people with
learning disabilities, their carer’s and others to
develop the idea for a brand and associated social marketing campaign
3. The Purple Star Strategy is aligned to the provision
of high quality reasonable adjusted services to
people with learning disabilities outlined in a set
of STANDARDS
4. The strategy aims to improve HEALTH OUTCOMES for people with learning disabilities across Herts
5. The brand was initially developed through consultation and a “design the BADGE” competition by people with learning disabilities
6. The brand developed is aptly known as the
PURPLE Star
7. A STAR is often used to represent something achieved, good, done well or excellent in UK culture
8. The strap line is eQUALITY for people with Learning Disabilities emphasising the need for equitable
services for all
9.
The Purple FOLDER is a health Portfolio and Health Action Plan used by adults with learning disabilities
at all health appointments and consultations.
It provided inspiration for using the colour Purple
10.MEDICX pharmacy, Apsley, was the pilot service
for the strategy and marked its official status as the first service signed up to the Purple Star Promise on the 22nd August 2013
11. The Equalities Act 2010 places a legal requirement on all services to make REASONABLE adjustments to enable equitable access to services for all
12.The Purple Star PROMISE is a like a charter that outlines what the service agrees to provide(standards)
in order to be awarded and display the purple star brand
13.EDUCATION of staff to raise awareness of the health needs of people with learning disabilities and how to
make reasonable adjustments is critical to the strategy
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14.T.E.A.C.H a useful acronym, stands for Time,
Environment, Attitude Communication and Help when remembering reasonable adjustments to consider.
15.Offering good CUSTOMER care is one of the Standards
16.The service must have disabled ACCESS in line with the Equalities Act 2010
17.When making reasonable adjustments various
COMMUNICTION methods should be considered to ensure understanding
18.MAKATON Sign Language may be used to aid
understanding It is recommended that services learn key signs - “Signs that Save Lives” campaign
19.Providing EASY READ information for individuals is an essential element of communication
20.One of the key components of the Promise is to
LISTEN to others
21.CARERS are a helpful source of advice and support, involve and listen to them
22.Offering services that are PERSON CENTRED,
bespoke to individual needs is a “must do”.
23.Each service will have an identified Learning
Disabilities CHAMPION
24.The service will be supported by a nurse from the local Community Learning Disability Team CLDT
25.Once a service has met the standards they are
registered on a Quality PLATFORM where feedback
about their experience will be given by clients/customers
Give yourself bonus points if you have found a
seasonal message from us all
If you want to know more about the Purple Star
Strategy then look at
http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/
healthsoc/disability/purplestar/
or contact us on 01438 845372
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You will find the solution to the Purple
Star Strategy Word Search on page 11.
A M E
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A
J
N
O H
A M E
¾ Cup White Sugar
¾ Cup Dark Brown Sugar
1 Cup Rolled Oats
1½ Cups of Plain Flour
1½ Teaspoons of Baking Powder
½ Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Chopped Walnuts (Optional)
Using a 1 quart jar or large coffee jar, layer in the ingredients in
the order given above. Pack down the jar after each addition. Put the
lid on and cover with 8 inch circle of fabric, securing it with a rubber
band.
Decorate with ribbon or raffia tied around the lid. Attach a tag with
the following instructions.
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl cream together ¾ cup of softened
butter with 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Add the entire contents
of the jar and mix by hand until all the ingredients are combined.
Drop dough by heaping spoonfuls onto a unprepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 12 -15 mins.
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
(Thanks to Mary @HBC for the original recipe)
F
a he
althy or
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swap
na
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Film Release:
Through Our Eyes
A new film launches in December
about Reasonable Adjustments
for people with learning disabilities
called ‘Through Our Eyes’ .
The premier on the 13th of December 2013 is
part of an event in celebration of partnership
working with service users and carers.The film
will be used to train health professionals
across Hertfordshire.
‘Through Our Eyes’ follows the journey of four
people with learning disability as they access
different health settings. It describes their
concerns about the health setting, their fears
at meeting health professionals and their
worries about the procedures or treatment
being planned. The film demonstrates how
reasonable adjustments used in health settings
allay patients’ anxieties and fears, allowing
treatment to begin.
Filming took place in many locations across
Hertfordshire. Well supported by health
professionals, the characters are played by
actors who have a learning disability.
In our next issue
Coming Up in February:
“Love Yourself Love Your Life” workshops
For service users and carers, covering all
aspects of the annual health check.
At venues across Hertfordshire on 11th and
14th February 2014. Look out for the flyers with
all the details.
Are you interested in joining our
Learning Disability Champions Group?
Wednesday 12th February 2014, at 10.00am,
Terrace Room, Kingsley Green.
Passionate about people with learning
disabilities and equitable health care?
Come and join us to make a positive change to
practice in Herts.
Acknowledgements to Michelle Chapeski Absense-stock
deviantart.com and ek-stockphotos deviantart.com for the art work
Featured articles on weight management and managing diabetes
People with learning disabilities often have weight management difficulties and a high incidence of diabetes. Our next
issue will provide easy read information that will help you make reasonable adjustments to meet these needs.
Launch of our letters page: Ask Alison: Strategic Lead Nurse
If you have any questions about the service or practice of supporting people with learning disabilities, then please email
Alison.Fitzgerald@hertfordshire.gov.uk. Our strategic lead nurse is ready to answer your queries and offer support
and advice.
Contacts:
Telephone: 01438 845372
Email: nursingnewsletter@hertfordhsire.gov.uk
Web: www.hertsdirect.org
Follow our service on https://twitter.com/HertsCLDS Twitter: @HertsCLDS and #purplestarpractice
Design Ref: 069507
Competition
Our newsletter’s working title is “The Purple Star Practice”. We will launch our competition to name the newsletter.
Come up with the punchiest title and win a fabulous prize.