This stark health inequality is something which must be addressed, and the purpose of the SWL TCP is to help address this health inequality so that people with learning disabilities live longer. Since the investigation into the abuse at Winterbourne View, there has been a commitment to transform care and support for people with a learning disability and/or autism who display behaviour that challenges, including behaviour that can lead to contact with the criminal justice system. This is focused on building up community capacity and reducing inappropriate hospital admissions. In addition to this, the current challenges with provision include: SLAM has closed its inpatient beds, which has impacted on the number of people in out of area beds Widespread recognition that those with a learning disability and/or autism and challenging behaviours are not best served by long term hospitalisation Population increases that will put pressure on inpatient capacity An ageing population of people with a learning disability and/or autism. This requires more proactive support, integrated around co-morbidities which are more common in later life. This care needs to focus on keeping people healthy and well in the community, and maintain their independence Nationally lack of system awareness and working and joined up commissioning The financial challenges facing the NHS but also particularly the LA sector and the ability to therefore financially support major change programmes The length of time required to develop sustainable community alternatives to admission The current experience for adults and children with a learning disability in south west London is varied but areas are working and planning a variety of initiatives to address this and provide consistency in the care and support they receive. South west London boroughs are reviewing care and support packages to ensure that individuals are at the centre of their own care. For example, Wandsworth are looking to agree and implement a core offer for Personal Health Budgets (PHB) for people with learning disabilities and/or autism. This change will be implemented through Commissioner, Provider and Service User consultation and by joint agreement with stakeholders. In terms of improvement to services in south west London that can be made these include (not a definitive list): Patient Case studies The following case studies outline how different approaches to care can result in different outcomes for people with a learning disability and/or autism:
This stark health inequality is something which must be addressed, and the purpose of the SWL TCP is to help address this health inequality so that people with learning disabilities live longer. Since the investigation into the abuse at Winterbourne View, there has been a commitment to transform care and support for people with a learning disability and/or autism who display behaviour that challenges, including behaviour that can lead to contact with the criminal justice system. This is focused on building up community capacity and reducing inappropriate hospital admissions. In addition to this, the current challenges with provision include: SLAM has closed its inpatient beds, which has impacted on the number of people in out of area beds Widespread recognition that those with a learning disability and/or autism and challenging behaviours are not best served by long term hospitalisation Population increases that will put pressure on inpatient capacity An ageing population of people with a learning disability and/or autism. This requires more proactive support, integrated around co-morbidities which are more common in later life. This care needs to focus on keeping people healthy and well in the community, and maintain their independence Nationally lack of system awareness and working and joined up commissioning The financial challenges facing the NHS but also particularly the LA sector and the ability to therefore financially support major change programmes The length of time required to develop sustainable community alternatives to admission The current experience for adults and children with a learning disability in south west London is varied but areas are working and planning a variety of initiatives to address this and provide consistency in the care and support they receive. South west London boroughs are reviewing care and support packages to ensure that individuals are at the centre of their own care. For example, Wandsworth are looking to agree and implement a core offer for Personal Health Budgets (PHB) for people with learning disabilities and/or autism. This change will be implemented through Commissioner, Provider and Service User consultation and by joint agreement with stakeholders. In terms of improvement to services in south west London that can be made these include (not a definitive list): Patient Case studies The following case studies outline how different approaches to care can result in different outcomes for people with a learning disability and/or autism: