Celebrating Learning Disability Awareness Week

18 June to 24 June 2018

Oxleas’ Learning Disability directorate hosted a number of events to celebrate Learning Disability Awareness Week (18 to 24 June 2018).

As the theme this year was  Mencap’s ‘Treat me well’ campaign, the events were held in hospitals across the 3 boroughs.

Tuesday 19 June Bexley and Bromley Learning Disability Teams showcased their work in the hospital foyer in Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup together with Bexley Mencap, Advocacy for All and Oxleas’ Stakeholder Engagement represented by Jo Mant.

 

The day focussed on the ‘Treat me well’ campaign by Mencap which aims to transform how the NHS staff  treats people with a learning disability in hospital. Experts by experience from the Can you understand it? team and Bexley Mencap visited various services to  find out if reasonable adjustments are being made for people with learning disabilities using these services and to share with them the Bill of Rights.

In the afternoon, Raja Rajendran (our Learning Disability Carer Governor)  officially opened the  Adult Learning Disability Service which was followed by the cutting of a beautiful cake made by Julie Clarke (Bromley Learning Disability Nurse) and an afternoon tea.

Thursday 21 June Bromley College students were able to showcase their achievements  and show family and visitors round the college. There was a great turnout and the students enjoyed talking about their work.

Thursday 21 June Working together with Lynne Ramnanansingh - Learning Disability Liaison Nurse at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) and King's College Hospital, Bromley's Complex Physical Health nurses Melanie Blair, Stella Haddow-Mendes and Vee Nathan, supported by service user David Barnet, set up an information stand outside the canteen at the Princess Royal University Hospital to raise awareness of the health needs of people with learning disabilities generally, and within the hospital setting specifically, advising of the role of the Complex Physical Health nurses from admission to discharge. David had opportunity to share his experiences as a patient at the PRUH and focussed his energy on drawing the attention of the doctors to the stand.

Our Learning Disability Awareness Week concluded on Friday 22 June when  Greenwich health and social care team had an information table at Queen Elizabeth Hospital to share good practice with QEH staff.

All in all it was a very successful week for raising awareness for people with learning disabilities!!