| A recent government report accused acute hospital | | | | of people with Learning disabilities and or dementia |
| staff of failing to meet the basic needs of people | | | | during hospital admissions? |
| with Learning Disabilities during hospital admission. | | | | Researchers recommend that all staff in acute |
| Family carers of people with Learning Disabilities | | | | hospitals and Accident and Emergency departments |
| described appalling treatment of their loved ones. The | | | | must have basic awareness training in assessing and |
| issues and concerns expressed by family carers were | | | | managing pain in people with Learning Disabilities and |
| mainly around pain management and nutrition. Carers | | | | or dementia. |
| described how their loved ones were not fed | | | | The training must include all the elements outlined |
| properly during hospital admissions and family | | | | below:o How to use pain assessment toolso How |
| members having to take it in turns to visit during | | | | pain contributes to "behaviour that challenges"o |
| meal times to ensure that their relative was | | | | Recognition that people with Learning disabilities and |
| adequately fed. | | | | or dementia may have communication difficulties and |
| One mother described how her daughter who had | | | | may not be able to articulate that they are in paino |
| cancer was only offered paracetamol for relief. | | | | Appreciate the concept of working in partnership |
| The above scenarios clearly demonstrate that staff | | | | with family carers. They are a fountain of knowledge |
| in acute hospitals have little or no understanding of | | | | and they know the patient besto Develop best |
| the needs of people with Learning disabilities some of | | | | practice patient centred careo Develop a basic |
| who may have dementia. | | | | awareness of the different types of dementias. |
| So how can hospital staff improve the experiences | | | | |