We support adults and children with a diagnosed learning disabilities, who attend one of the Northern Care Alliance hospitals. The service can help and support patients and staff at Salford Royal Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary.
We are aware, that coming to hospital can often be a stressful and overwhelming time. We are here to make this journey positive and successful, ensuring that you can access the care that is required.
Everyone with a learning disability who attends our hospitals has access to reasonable adjustments, so the care, treatment and experience is accessible and equitable.
As a team we can help with applying reasonable adjustments into practice, support application of the mental capacity act, communication, and offering specialist advice.
The team operates Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm however all clinical areas are skilled and knowledgeable on support and applying reasonable adjustment into practice.
According to the Equality Act 2010, reasonable adjustments are a legal requirement to ensure healthcare settings are accessible to all.
Often, the adjustments are small but can make a big difference to the care received. With these adjustments in place, we know that patients are more likely to receive appropriate care, to support their health needs.
Reasonable adjustments are personalised to every individual, please ensure staff are aware of any needs and if unsure, please ask what adjustments can be made.
Everyone with a learning disability is encourages to use a hospital passport which helps inform hospital staff about the needs of a person with a learning disability and how to support them.
The passport is owned and controlled by the person themselves and should be brought with them when they attend hospital. The passport identified the person who knows the patient best, provides valuable advice and support to assist in understanding the persons individual needs.
If you have forgotten or misplaced your hospital passport, we will be able to provide a printed copy of your local area hospitals passport. In hospital you will not be asked to update a new passport, you will be asked to complete a reasonable adjustment guide. This document will support hospital staff to meet people's support needs until a full hospital passport can be provided.