Spring edition of "Challenge"
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation would like to announce the publication of the Spring 2012, edition of our newsletter, “Challenge”. The focus of this edition is on healthcare for people with learning disabilities, a timely subject given the recent publication of Mencap’s follow up report to “Death by Indifference”.
“Death by indifference: 74 and counting – A progress report 5 years on” highlights failings in the NHS, which has resulted in the premature deaths of some of the most vulnerable in society.
Two family carers share their experiences of the difficulty they and their family member has faced when trying to access necessary medical investigations and treatment, and discuss the barriers they have encountered.
Learning disabilities or challenging behaviour should not be a barrier to receiving good healthcare. The article “Accessing healthcare” written by Darryl Chapman, Acute Liaison Nurse for Vulnerable Patients, looks at the importance of making ‘reasonable adjustments’, (Equality Act, 2010) and says that accessing healthcare is achievable but it requires good planning, making ‘reasonable adjustments’ tailored to individual need and for family carers and professionals to communicate effectively and work in partnership.
The CBF celebrates our 15th anniversary this year. This issue looks back at how the charity has developed over the last 15 years, since starting from humble beginnings in Vivien Cooper’s garage with a ‘borrowed’ photocopier and the help of some dedicated friends who worked as volunteers, to having a team of 11 staff and the creation of a national strategy group (the CB-NSG) committed to raising standards for people with learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges services.
The CBF works alongside leading organisations and individuals within the field of learning disability (such as Professor Jim Mansell who sadly lost his battle to cancer in March this year) to raise awareness and improve the quality of life for those who have severe learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging and their families.
Click here to view the Spring 2012 edition of “Challenge” or email your details to: info@thecbf.org.uk to be added to the newsletter mailing list.
