Better Outcomes for People with a Learning Disability


Quality Network Public Statements

   
Organisation  Lanarkshire Primary Care NHS Trust
Type  Learning Disabilities Service, Kirklands Hospital
Services included  Residential Accomodation in a hospital setting
Contact name  Ms. Pauline Bartlett, Quality Network leader
Tel.  01698 245000 ext 3139
Email  
Public Statement  2002      


Our Services

Kirklands Hospital provides residential accommodation within a hospital setting to 151 people. There are 11 cottages which have been designed to offer care to as few as 8 people and up to 28 people. Four out of the 11 cottages offer accommodation to 15 people and under. The people who live in the cottages are grouped according to their level of support need.

There are a team of staff i.e. nursing, medical, clinical psychology, pams and recreation staff who support each cottage. Other supports are offered via the Speak Out Advocacy service.

The service review
This was the first time that a review of this nature had taken place within Kirklands Hospital. It was held between the 26th October 2001 and the 14th December, 2001. Within this time, three workshops were held and the team also spent time with the person that they had been linked with.

There were nine people who were visited within the review. For the purposes of this review, the sample of people chosen was spread across the cottages in order to reflect what life was like for an older person, someone who had high support needs, someone who had difficulty expressing themselves, etc.

The review team consisted of people from a variety of different backgrounds i.e. two parents, two hospital residents who were accompanied by their advocates, one service provider, one member of the public, one nurse, one clinical psychologist, one recreation officer and one Trust manager.

Findings
What was going well for the people visited:


• People were being supported to make some choices about their clothes, music to listen to and about going out and about.
• Most residents were being treated respectfully by most staff.
• A range of everyday activities were being offered.
• A lot of people were supported to have friends and relationships.
• There is support to help families to be actively involved.
• People were getting a lot of help to stay healthy.
• Some people were having a say, especially in their future resettlement into the community.
• There is excellent family involvement and family’s views were sought where possible.
• Staff work very hard at keeping people safe.

What we need to improve:


• People need to get more choices in accessing real life experiences.
• People need to be able to communicate their food choices.
• A wider range of everyday activities needs to be offered.
• People need to be supported in a valued way to get involved.
• More community based activities need to be offered.
• People need real adult relationships.
• Contact with current friends needs to be supported and improved.
• Community relationships need to be encouraged.
• Community awareness has to increase.
• More voluntary support is required.
• People need more opportunity to exercise.
• People need to be involved in health promotion activities.
• Important decisions need to be communicated better.
• Families need more support where there are difficulties.
• Prevent people being at physical risk from other residents.


Summary


This review has brought a group of people together from within and outwith the service and asked them to look at specific quality of life issues which are fundamental to human growth and development. The results have shown that there are pockets of good practice which can be seen, however, on the whole there are areas which require more dedicated work in order to ensure that the best possible service is being provided.

The next steps which we intend to take as a result of this review is to work to a very detailed action plan, with timescales and appropriate people designated to action them. The action will be reviewed in six months time.

For more information, contact:
Ms. Pauline Bartlett, Quality Network leader
Lanarkshire Primary Care NHS Trust
Learning Disabilities Service
Kirklands Hospital
Bothwell
Glasgow
Telephone: 01698 245000 ext 3139