People with a learning disability and / or autism will be supported to lead more independent lives and have a greater say about the support they receive under a plan published on Friday to radically improve learning disability services across Greater Manchester.
Central to the three-year plan will be new, high-quality, community-based services allowing people with a learning disability and/or autism to benefit from new, better care options.
Greater Manchester currently has 2,500 patients with learning disabilities who require full-time care or high-levels of support. Some of these people are in secure placements while others are not. The reshaping of services will ensure that more community based support is provided to individuals, where appropriate, continuing the long-term shift away from institutional care. Services will also better address the wider needs of people with learning disabilities, implementing processes to support issues such as physical health, social care and employment.
The programme sits within plans to devolve powers of health and social care to Greater Manchester authorities, and will utilise new and existing funding to transform the models of care across the region with a combined budget of £6million coming from national and regional funding streams. It was announced today that a total of £3million will be provided to Greater Manchester via NHS England’s Fast Track Transformation Fund.
The funding will support the delivery of the vision, which will be measured against four primary objectives:
• An improvement in training of staff and keyworkers to accelerate community based support
• An expansion of community based accommodation available across Greater Manchester
• A halving in the need for non-secure accommodation across Greater Manchester by 2019
o A minimum of 30 beds will be kept available, allowing for stays of between 6 to 24 months for severe patients needing continuing care or rehab
• A reduction in the number of low secure accommodation by a third by 2019, with improved out-reach support helping to prevent avoidable admissions
The vision will be launched at an event on Monday, where an action plan will be developed to deliver the improvements. Around 150 people are expected to attend, from the councils, the NHS, third sector and representatives of families and service users.
Caroline Kurzeja, Chief Officer at South Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group, who played a lead role in the Fast Track funding bid, said: “At the moment Greater Manchester is out of kilter with the rest of the country because it has a very high use of learning disability places out of our area. We want to be able to move eligible patients back to the areas and communities they are from and much closer to their loved ones – because we know this has benefits for all involved.
“Greater Manchester has 2,500 learning disability patients – and just like any other patients – they need care packages with a clear outline of the services they will receive and expected results.
“It won’t be an easy process – but it’s the right thing to do to improve quality of life for both patients and their families ¬ and it will also help to address any issues of fragmentation in care due to distance.”
Theresa Grant, Trafford Council’s Chief Executive, said: “The agreement is presenting significant opportunities for all areas of Greater Manchester and means we can really focus on supporting some of the most vulnerable in our communities to be less reliant on traditional care and support.
“The funding boost will be our stepping-stone to making this happen across Greater Manchester and will allow us the room to develop and progress our integrated approach at pace. We can no longer work in isolation to meet the needs of individuals, there has to be a more holistic approach. Bringing in new partners from a wide variety of sectors will contribute to improved health and wellbeing for each individual.
“With a wider package of ‘wrap-around’ services, we will achieve much better outcomes for service users and their families as well as opening new doors and opportunities that they would never have had before; promoting greater independence and preventing people going into residential care, something which is placing a huge, and arguably unnecessary, demand on public services.”
Lord Peter Smith, Greater Manchester Combined Authority lead for health and wellbeing, said: “It is an exciting time for Greater Manchester as we take control of our resources and continue to develop ideas that will bring the greatest and fastest improvement in health and wellbeing to benefit our 2.8million residents.
“This will see health and social care professionals working in a more integrated way. By aligning budgets and expertise we will ensure better care for our patients with learning disabilities. “
Ian Williamson, Chief Officer of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Devolution, has welcomed the new announcement: “The ongoing process of devolution has presented us with an opportunity to make significant progress in this area, and allows us to accelerate aspirations to ensure that every person with a learning disability or autism receives the right levels of care across the region.”
Mark Shackleton is Chair of the North West Regional Forum a group of people with learning disabilities who work with the statutory bodies, regionally and as part of a national group, to co-produce services.
He said: “I’ve lived in a residential college. It taught me some good things but I’m much happier now that I live in the community with the right support!
“I have my own home a girlfriend and a paid job, and I’m close to my family which I didn’t have when I lived in the college.
“Now I visit people in large residential homes and hospitals. I don’t think they get as much choice or have the friends that I have. It’s sad.
“I have done a lot of Care and Treatment Reviews and CQC inspections. Some people have told me they want their own place like I have and to do some work, maybe living nearer their families. We all want an ordinary life with the support we need just like everyone else.”
Anthony Gritto is also a member of the North West Regional Forum and will be at the event on Monday along with Mark and other people with learning disabilities.
He said: “I used to live with my mum and uncles when I was little. Now I have my own house, with my partner, we are getting married next year, and my 3 beautiful children. I volunteer at Salford Being Heard and I am the NW Outstanding Leader of 2015. I want what everyone else wants – family, friends, work and to be healthy and happy.”
Lynn James-Jenkinson is a member of the North West Regional Families Forum, which is for the families of people with learning disabilities. She said: “Who is it that keeps all of us safe? Who is it who looks out for us and asks questions if things don’t look right? It’s our friends and family. I have six children, number five of the six happens to have a learning disability. She has the same rights as her sisters and brother but we have to fight harder to secure those rights.
“I feel immobilised by the fear that when my daughter is an adult people who don’t know her could make decisions that would ultimately cause her harm. Mine should never be the only voice that’s listened to, my daughter’s will be the voice that matters most. Who will it be that works hardest to make sure she is heard – friends and family for sure.”
Alan Griffiths is a member of the North West Regional Families Forum. He said: “My son is 32 – going on six. He has a learning disability, epilepsy, autism and diabetes. He is also very insecure.
“Although I understand and defend his right to make choices I also understand his vulnerability and fragility like no professional could. And of course I love him to bits.
“It is therefore essential for both his and my health and wellbeing that we live close by, and that I am involved in discussions and decision making about his health, care and living environment, with no agenda apart from that which any parent would have for their child.”
Tony McDermott, Chair NW Regional Family Forum added: “This has to be about what is needed in our local communities that meet the needs of all people with learning disabilities and their families.”
*Throughout, this term refers to children, young people and adults with a learning disability and/or autism who display behaviour that challenges, including those with a mental health condition.
