Ashley Murphy, Learning Disability and Autism Primary Care Programme Manager, NTW worked together with Linda Reiling, Specialist Joint Commissioner for Learning disabilities and Mental health at Sunderland Clinical commissioning Group to put together a fun filled, educational conference for people with a learning disability and autism, that took place at the Stadium of Light on the 21st May 2018.
The event was to help people with learning disabilities and autism understand what they are entitled too from their GP practice. We found out what they like about going to their doctors and what they felt needed to be better. We now have lots of ideas to work on from this.
Aswell as this we ran pop up clinics. People with a learning disability are often very fearful of having tests to ensure they are healthy and don’t always want to go to their GP. At the event we worked with several drug companies and practitioners from both GP practices across Sunderland and the labs at the QE Hospital to enable people to have the following tests, Cholesterol and pre diabetes. They also had their BMI calculated and mini ECGs. All results were shared with their GP following on from the event and the health promotion team have offered follow up support after the event.
We also worked in partnership with audiology at City Hospitals Sunderland who offered a fantastic service and tested peoples hearing on the day. This has generated several referrals where some hearing loss was detected that may have not been picked up ordinarily!
The day would not of been possible without our colleagues in the point of care department at Sunderland University, namely Karen Giles who has guided us trained us and supported us with the clinics, thank you !
Finally a massive well done to all of our stall holders from various organisations across the City, Sunderland Sports department at Sunderland University and all of the people who attended. A fantastic drama production was also given by the Twisting Ducks they were brilliant! A great day was had by all and lots of work is planned as a result.
Finally a huge thank you to our co-chair Bethan Gillan, this was her first event of this kind and she did an amazing job well done!!
