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in Ipswich and East Suffolk News, West Suffolk News
A new Learning Disability GP Practice Friendly Kitemark has been launched – a recognition of the proactive work happening in primary care to support the health and wellbeing of those living with a learning disability and their families.
The project is unique to Suffolk and has been supported by experts with experience from local charity ACE Anglia, the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE ICB).
Unity Healthcare in Haverhill and Stowhealth in Stowmarket were presented with their kitemarks at a special ceremony which took place on Wednesday as part of Learning Disability (LD) Awareness Week.
GP practices aiming for accreditation must meet certain specific criteria identifying patients with LD, encouraging them to attend their annual health checks, and ensuring reasonable adjustments are in place for them when checks take place.
Practices across Suffolk are now being encouraged to learn more about how they can better support patients with LD and consider aiming for kitemark accreditation.
Alison Sadler, who has been leading on the project for the SNEE ICB, said: “We are so pleased to have launched this new kitemark accreditation during Learning Disability Awareness Week, and thank everyone involved.
“Those living with a learning disability often suffer with poorer health outcomes, which it why it is so important we do all we can to support them to lead long and healthy lives.
“The practices that have achieved kitemark accreditation are to be thanked for all they have done to make life easier for their LD patients and for being early-stage supporters of this project.”
Becky Stowe, Learning Disabilities Care Co-Ordinator at Stowhealth, said: “It was a proud moment to have achieved kitemark accreditation.
“Our physician associates Lisa Barry and Sara Foster have done amazingly well taking the lead on the annual health check clinics for our LD patients.
“A lot of hard work and dedication has gone into this project and I would like to say a huge thank you to ACE Anglia, our LD liaison nurses, and to Wendy Scott and Alison Sadler from the ICB for heading up this project and making it all happen.
“Together we have made such a difference and I look forward to continuing this into the future.”