Learning Disability Support

Ruskington Medical Practice is dedicated to supporting our registered patients who are diagnosed with learning difficulties.

There are many NHS services available to support access to health care and our team will support you to access them where we can.

Annual Health Checks

We will invite each patient to an annual Health Check. It is important that patients attend these appointments. This is where we will design your care plan including your wishes so no matter who is supporting your health they are aware of your views and your voice. Be involved in your health and care and what we can do to make sure you are informed and have easy access to services.
We will invite you to these appointments automatically – the appointment is a little longer than a normal GP appointment.
AHC Easy Read Guide

Flu Immunisations

People with learning disabilities, their families and carers (including informal carers) are entitled to a free flu vaccination every year. Please speak to your registered GP practice to access this services (usually given in the autumn).

Access To Online Records

We provide online access to our patients so that they can manage their own health. You can see your consultation details, check any test results (such as a blood test) and also order repeat medications. A proxy can have access to you medical records online if you wish them to so that they can help with this.

Screening Programmes

It is important that all patients access the NHS screening services available to them. Early detection of illness is the best way to manage it moving forward. The below screening services are available to patients and we would strongly advise that all patients access these services where appropriate.

• Diabetic Eye Screening
  Every year for patients aged 12 years and over with a diagnosis of diabetes.
  People who have diabetes are at more risk of damage to the blood vessels in their eyes which can affect your sight. This is different to the eye test you have at the optician to see if you need glasses. You will get a letter come to your house inviting you to attend an appointment at your local screening centre.
  A practice nurse or care coordinator can discuss this with you so that you know what to expect at the appointment.
  More information is available on this link to a YouTube video on the Diabetic Screening Service
  You can also read more in this easy to read document on the eye screening service.
• Bowel Cancer Screening
  For all patients aged 50 and over and is advised every 2 years.
  It is simple to do as you ask for a testing kit and it is posted to your home. The pack will have information on how to use the stick to get a small sample of your poo. This is then put in a bottle and sent to the lab for testing.
  Your practice nurse or care coordinator can discuss this with you so that you know what to expect at the appointment.
  More information is available on this link to a YouTube video on Bowel Screening Services.
  Or you can read more information in the easy to read information pack.
  OR you can read more about it at Books Beyond Words
• Breast Screening
  For female patients aged 50 years and over. Screening is advised every 3 years
  At a breast screening appointment you will have what is called a mammogram (which is a type of x-ray). The appointment will be around 30 minutes long and you can take someone with you for support.
  A practice nurse or care coordinator can discuss this with you so that you know what will happen at the appointment.
  You will automatically be sent an invite to book a breast screening appointment by letter to your home.
  Your appointment will either be at one of the local hospitals (Lincoln, Grantham or Boston) or it could be in a mobile service at a more local place to you – we sometimes have the mobile service in our practice carpark – It is a very large NHS van with all of the equipment needed for your appointment.
  If you want more information you can call a member of our team on 01526 832204  or you can call the breast screening team on 01522 573999 or email ulht.breastscreening@nhs.net
  More information is available on this link to a YouTube video on Breast Screening Services.
  Or you can read more information in this easy to read information pack.
  OR you can read more about it at Books Beyond Words
  
• Cervical Screening
  For female patients aged 25 – 49 years of age. Screening is every 3 years and when you are over 49 it is every 5 years.
  Your practice nurse or care coordinator can discuss this service with you so you know what will happen at the screening appointment, and you can bring someone with you if you wish, this will also be discussed with you at your annual health check.
  More information is available on this link to a YouTube video on Cervical Screening Services.
  OR you can read more information in this easy to read information pack.
  OR you can read more about it at Books Beyond Words
  
• Lung Cancer Screening
  For all patients aged 55 to 74 years old, if they used to or still do smoke.
  This appointment will be a discussion with someone who will ask you lots of questions about your health and smoking history. They will then tell you if you need to have a scan of your lungs.
  More information is available on this link to a YouTube video on the Lung Screening service.
  You can find out more in this easy to read information pack.

Decision Making

Everybody should be able to make their own decisions and choices. Our team will make sure that you have all the information you need to make the right choices for you and your health care.

If a decision is too big or too complicated – even after we have helped you with more information that is ok, this is when decisions can be made by someone else in a persons ‘best interests’. This means that the people who know you best and are most knowledgeable about that information can make a decision which will be best for you if you are not able to do it yourself.

Capacity is a word used which means to assess if you are able to make decisions yourself. Every person is presumed to have capacity unless they are proven otherwise. If you are having difficulties making decisions about your healthcare let our team know and we can help you. We can explain to you what different services are and what to expect and if you need them. You can also bring anyone who helps look after you whilst we talk about it.

Advocacy

Did you know that you can also get help from an Advocate? An Advocate is a person who helps to explain things to you and helps to make sure that your views and wishes are heard. They can help you understand things such as benefit meetings, housing meetings, assessments or serious medical treatment.

You can ask for free advocacy help from Voiceability by either calling 0300 303 1660, by visiting their website at VoiceAbility | Advocacy and involvement or by emailing them at helpline@voiceability.org 

Practice Support
Below are the practice leads who manage the support we provide both in practice and in the community

Dr R. Wiseman is the practice GP lead

Michelle Batchelor is the practice Nurse lead 

Julie Walsh is the Administrator lead

Andy Cullum is the Care Coordinator lead

Stephen Frankland is the Social Prescribing Link Worker

Other Helpful Information

These links will help you find easy to read information on other services to help your health and wellbeing. If you have any questions you can call the practice to speak to a member of our patient navigation team.

Giving Consent

Having a blood test

Going to the dentist – Katrina’s story

Having an eye test

Getting your health checked

Breast Care and Screening

How to check your testicles

Stopping The Over Medication of People with Learning Disabilities, autism or both