MAKING sure that people with a learning disability get good healthcare in hospital is the focus of this year’s Learning Disability Week.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust, which provides services for people with a learning disability across Avon and Wiltshire, is supporting the awareness-raising week which runs until Sunday.

The ‘treat me well’ campaign is at the heart of this year’s message. Simple changes in hospital care can make a huge difference for people with a learning disability. The campaign is about better communication, more time and clear information.

A learning disability affects the way a person understands information and how they communicate. Around 1.5million people in the UK have one. It is thought up to 350,000 people have severe learning disabilities and this figure is on the up.

It is hoped that the week will spread the word about some of the issues people with a learning disability can face in getting good healthcare when they are hospital. The aim is to identify the problems and make improvements.

NHS colleagues are being encouraged to work together to improve care that isn’t good enough, and sign up to the campaign.

Dan Wilkins, learning disability manager for AWP Mental Health Trust said: “As a trust, we provide a range of learning disability services across Avon and Wiltshire. This means we work closely with our service users to improve services, help them achieve their goals and live fulfilled lives.

“Raising awareness to help people with learning disabilities and supporting them to live their lives to the fullest is a priority for our Trust so we are looking forward to using the awareness raising week to amplify our message.

“We know that sometimes people who have a learning disability don’t get access to good quality hospital or community care and this is something we are committed to changing.

“We are also committed to partnership working to ensure the provision of high quality services and reasonable adjustments for people who have a learning disability is at the forefront of everything we do.”