Agenda item

Background and context of the Learning Disability Board, focus on the ‘Learning Disability Big Plan (strategy)’ update.

Michelle Larke (Head of Commissioning, Adult Social Care, LCC) presented on the background/context of the Learning Disability Programme Board, and also an update on the Strategy (the Learning Disability Big Plan).
The following points were noted:

·         The Chair noted that she attends the Learning Disability Programme Board and finds it to be an inclusive and proactive meeting – and thanked the Presenting Officer for this.

·         The Learning Disability Programme Board was established in 2001 and is attended by NHS, LPT, ICB, Police, Voluntary Sector and families with learning disabilities. Its key role is to be a Place-Based Board to give those with learning disabilities a voice.

·         There is a self-advocacy sub-group of the Board called “We Think”.

·         The Board meets quarterly online – and there will be a development session in May 2024.

·         The Strategy (shown in full in the agenda pack) launched in February 2020 and formally ended in December 2023 – although it has now been extended for two further years.

·         The Strategy focusses on four main topics/areas:-

1)    Health Inequalities – including:-

§ The Learning Disabilities and Autism Collaborative

§ The Learning From Lives and Deaths Review (LeDeR)

§ Access to health checks, oral health, vaccinations and screening.

2)    The Short Breaks offer - including targeted engagement to find out what families really want.

3)    Support for employment; the Department for Work & Pensions is funding work that will give meaningful opportunities.

4)    Integration; getting the voice of those with learning disabilities integrated into the governance of City services.

Comments and questions from the Board:-

·         The Chair noted that the uptake of annual health checks has increased significantly due to the actions of the LD Board – and is a higher uptake rate than most other areas in the Country. She also noted that a significant number of deaths were in people who had not had their annual check.

·         The Member representing Leicestershire Police asked how many people had received blood tests at the annual health check. The Presenting Officer and the Member representing the ICB noted that needle phobia is common amongst people with learning disabilities (as found during the Covid-19 pandemic). Funding was secured for a Vena Puncture pilot, and this is now being rolled out with a pathway attached. Primary Care are now looking at phlebotomy as a priority area in general – particularly LPT (with regards to children under 12) and PCNs (with regards to those aged 12 to 16). There is also a “difficult to bleed” service (which can include need phobia or people unable to sit still) – and Helen Mather will speak to staff in this service about linkages to the LD Strategy.

·         The Member representing Leicestershire Police felt that it would be a good idea for an “MOT” offer to be developed for those with learning disabilities (so this would include oral health within the annual health check). The Chair agreed that the fewer appointments the less anxiety – and wondered if there was a dental practice that may be keen to work with the Primary Care Networks in order to deliver a dental check at the same time as the health check.  The Member representing the ICB responded that this multidisciplinary team approach is already something that is offered to patients with Cystic Fibrosis – so a similar offer could be considered for those with learning disabilities.

·         Barney Thorne noted that he will be happy to represent Leicestershire Police on the LD Board.

·         The Member representing UHL noted that oral hygiene, for those with learning disabilities, is an inequality that needs to be considered.

·         Employment opportunities are being increased – but the Chair felt there may need to be a “starter pack” developed to encourage more organisations to become involved. The Members representing UHL will consider this in relation to hospital opportunities.

·         The Member representing Leicestershire Police noted that the “Oliver Macgowan Training” would be more useful to large organisations if there could be group registrations and group sessions.

RESOLVED:

·         That the Board thanked the Officer for the presentation and asked them to take Members comments into account.

·         That the Presenting Officer and the Member Representing the ICB will check how many people had received blood tests at the annual health check – and also speak to staff in the “Difficult To Bleed” service about comments raised during this meeting.

·         The Presenting Officer and the Member representing the ICB will consider the feasibility of developing an “MOT” offer for those with learning disabilities (so this would be a multidisciplinary team approach and include a dental health check within the annual health check).

·         That the Presenting Officer will add Barney Thorne to the invitation list for future Learning Disability Programme Board meetings.

·         That the Member representing UHL will take away a self-imposed action to consider the inequalities around both oral hygiene and employment opportunities for those with learning disabilities.

·         That the Presenting Officer will link the Member representing Leicestershire Police up with the lead (within the ICB) on the “Oliver Macgowan Training”. In addition. any Members interested in getting their staff on this training will contact Michelle Larke.