Communication Help for Outpatients with Learning Disability

1. Communication Help for Outpatients with Learning Disability Monica Freeman Chief Physiologist Dept of Clinical Neurophysiology Dorset County Hospital

2. What is this? • A short form to send with OP appointment letter to patients with LD • Patient-centred, suitable for adults and children • Easy to complete • Brought to the OP appointment • Kept with the test paperwork or put in notes

3. Why is this form useful? • At-a-glance information to help understand the patient quickly • Everyone with learning disability is different • Suitable for any department • Helps patient and carers feel “listened to”

4. What is the outcome? • Improved OP patient experience for people with learning disability • Best possible test results are achieved • Consistent approach to each individual • Reduced stress of hospital visits

5. Other sources of written information Access to notes PAS alerts Request form or referral letter Yellow Book

6. What are we doing already? • Allowing extra time for appointment • Extra staff to help • Pre-planning and telephoning patients • Adapting test environment • This is Me form

7. This isn’t a substitute for................. • Pre-appointment planning • Telephone conversations • The interpersonal skills and experience we all have already

11. Monica Freeman October 2012

13. Any Questions? • Would you use this form? • Could it be useful in your department? • Any other feedback and questions Thank you for listening Monica Freeman Chief Physiologist Dept of Clinical Neurophysiology Dorset County Hospital