Swine flu protocol, for learning disability services. V1.0

Introduction

Evidence from Closing the Gap and Healthcare for all, demonstrate that people with a learning disability do not access mainstream health services and are more likely to be:

  • Unable to understand the information given regarding symptoms and how to access support.
  • Unable to recognise or communicate their symptoms
  • In need of support with medication management
  • Less likely to have support network i.e. flu friend
  • Less likely to have someone checking on them to see whether ok?

At present approximately 2000 people with a learning disability are known to the Learning Disability Community teams. However population prevalence figures backed up by data from GP registers, indicate Lincolnshire has a population of up to 3000 adults with a learning disability. Therefore a coordinated approach between primary care, learning disability services and the learning disability liaison nurses is required during this pandemic.

Objectives

  • To identify vulnerable adults living in the community with minimal or no support package.
  • To identify people with a learning disability who are high risk as categorised by the department of health. These include people with the following conditions, chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver and neurological diseases. Diabetes, those with suppressed immune systems, pregnant women, carers and the frail elderly.
  • To create an agreed process for meeting the needs of this population during pandemic flu outbreak.
  • Clarify the role of the learning disability community teams to support people with a learning disability and their carers during this outbreak.
  • Ensure information and training is provided to learning disability providers.
  • Ensure mainstream Swine Flu response services are able to meet the need of people with a learning disability.

Roles and responsibilities

Objective / Action / Responsibility
Identify all people with a learning disability who receive no support – to include people who no longer receive support from the LDCP but are vulnerable. /
  • Ensure person has regular contact with member from Learning Disability Community Partnership (LDCP) teams to enable early diagnosis
  • Ensure person is given a copy of the easy read version of swine flu leaflet or information produced in a format to enable the person to understand.
  • Identify support needs regarding administration of anti viral medication, i.e. the use of Telecare
/ LDCP
Identify those people who receive minimal support - not daily. /
  • Ensure person has regular contact with member from LDCP to enable early diagnosis
  • Swine Flu information leaflet is given to care provider
  • Identify with provider support needs regarding administration of anti viral medication, i.e. the use of Telecare
/ LDCP
Identify those people without a support network i.e. flu friend /
  • Action plan to include identification of flu friend (it is expected that LDCP staff will fulfil this role where no alternative is available).
  • Identify support needs regarding administration of anti viral medication, i.e. the use of Telecare
/ LDCP
Identify those people who live at home with carers who are in the high risk categories /
  • Identify on going care plan in case of carer unable to fulfil current caring obligations
/ LDCP
Identify residential and nursing homes for people with a learning disability within Lincolnshire. /
  • Ensure all residential and care homes, have guidelines in place regarding what to do in case of an outbreak.
  • Ensure that all residential and care homes have contact details of Health liaison Nurse for people with a learning disability.
/ LDCP
Health Liaison Nurse
Mainstream Swine Flu response services are able to meet the need of people with a learning disability. /
  • Ensure that nurses working in the Anti viral’ collection points are aware of Learning disability Health Liaison Nurse, and to refer to if concerns are raised over patient’s capacity.
  • Ensure Anti viral’ collection points have contact details of Lincolnshire County Council Customer Service Centre.
  • If person not known to LCC CSC, then refer to Health Liaison Nurse
  • Create flow chart detailing identification and referral process for people with a learning disability.
/ Health Outcomes Manager

Created by Rebecca Eccles – Health liaison Nurse – Learning disabilities and Richard Eccles – Health Outcomes Manager – NHS Lincolnshire