Page 27 - Community Living Magazine 36-1

arts: film
Prescription by film practice. One relative says of the family
The film also highlights some good

member she supports: “So, during
lockdown, we had the annual review over
the phone. His mental health was affected
To improve healthcare for all, people are sharing private very badly. The GP took her time, listened
concerns, difficult moments and practical suggestions in an to him, listened to me and she said she
was going to refer him to a social
animated video for health professionals, says Saba Salman prescriber, and she even said, ‘I’m going

to follow up on both of you’ – because
“ can’t do text. I can’t read texts. I can’t annual report into the avoidable deaths of health as well.”
she could see it was affecting my mental
Another participant supported by
people with learning disabilities.
do that like people can. And I say,
It showed people with a learning
I ‘why you keep texting me? Can’t you
secretaries do know me… and I think I
phone me? Phone me. Like I phoned you disability continue to have a much shorter Sunnybank says: “Sometimes, because the
this morning.’ ” life expectancy than the general public, need a longer time to talk to the doctor,
There is palpable frustration in these with six out of 10 dying before the age of they do book me a double appointment.”
words from a patient describing how 65, compared to one out of 10 people in The project also reinforces the fact that
difficult she finds communicating with the general population. Those with epilepsy some health problems are simple to treat
her GP. Her direct voice is one of five and from minority ethnic backgrounds once diagnosed, and a GP can often
that feature in a film on the health were more likely to die younger. prevent a health condition from becoming
inequalities experienced by people with Despite this research and various steps serious with early identification.
learning disabilities. aimed at closing the health inequality gap,
The six-minute animation, circulated to problems remain. For example, take-up of Start with small changes
GP surgeries in Surrey over the summer, annual health checks has been slow, not all Those involved in the film are keen to
presents professionals with testimonies GPs offer them to people with learning highlight simple solutions for GP surgeries
from patients with learning disabilities. disabilities and not many are done on time. and beyond. Basic steps include using
They describe a lack of accessible And not all medical professionals are aware simple, accessible language, visual
information, problems with medical of health passports people hold that contain prompts, bigger text and bullet points,
jargon and appointments that are too clinical and other personal information. and keeping writing to a minimum.
short or held in inaccessible rooms. A GP who familiarises themselves with a
The film is a collaboration between Health passports overlooked patient’s preferences and needs and who
researchers from Surrey Heartlands – a As one contributor to the film says: “Some aims to be as flexible as possible can make
partnership of health and care doctors don’t always know that I’ve got all the difference.
organisations, including Surrey County slight learning difficulties and that’s why I “I’m all right if someone explains to
Council – and local learning disability need support with me to explain what me what they’ve got to do first,” explains
charity the Sunnybank Trust. The trust they’ve got to do. But also, the hospital one person. “They have to explain the
supports around 300 people. passport I carry – they don’t ever look at it.” reasons and what they’ve got to do step
The project, funded by the NHS and This is why Sunnybank Trust chief by step. It’s not just GPs – it’s doctors
Surrey Heartlands and produced by executive Dorothy Watson says she is generally, when you’re in hospital or
London animation studio Strange Beast, proud of the individuals who took part in anywhere else. They need to put that
aims to raise awareness of the barriers to the film. She praises them for sharing in practice.” n
primary care and encourage healthcare private concerns and difficult moments to l Watch the film on YouTube at https://
staff to find solutions. help improve health access for others. youtu.be/_ZGIG_RrTuc
Researchers interviewed 25 people with
learning disabilities in Surrey, London and
Yorkshire, identifying common themes
and stories that represented the main
issues. They then interviewed five of the
original participants and a parent carer to
get more detailed testimonies. These
were the basis of the animation.
Even before Covid-19’s disproportionate
impact on people with learning disabilities,
a vast amount of research had already
outlined how they receive poor-quality
healthcare. The reasons for this range
from professionals’ lack of awareness
about learning disability to doctors
wrongly attributing a person’s behaviour
Sunnybank Trust came in this year’s NHS-funded Learning Medical jargon and short appointments in inaccessible rooms make healthcare difficult to access
to their disability rather than an illness.
The latest evidence of this inequality
from Lives and Deaths programme, an

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 36 No 1 | Autumn 2022 27