Implementation and Evaluation of Care Pathways in Adults with Intellectual Disability

Principal Investigator: Dr. Sabyasachi Bhaumik

Other Key Staff: Mandy Clarkson, Lynne Moore, Katie Morley, Freya Tyrer, Dr. John Devapriam, Dr Satheesh Gangadharan, Sheila Kirkman

Partners Involved: Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, University of Leicester

Summary:
People with learning disabilities (LD) have a high prevalence of mental health and certain physical health problems. While the learning disability strategy published by the Department of Health emphasises the need for people with LD to access main stream services, they face a number of barriers in accessing healthcare. In order to improve their access to services and achieve better outcomes, all services need to work together.

In Leicestershire and Rutland, we have been thinking about improving services that we provide for people with LD. One way we think we can improve is by using a ‘care pathway’ approach. Care pathways will make sure that professionals from all services are working together more efficiently. Together the different services can provide improved access, better experience and good quality care to people with LD.

This project will be implementing and evaluating eight stakeholder-identified care pathways for adults with learning disabilities in order to reduce barriers to access including waiting times, improve patient experience and outcome and make the service delivery cost efficient.

Aims:

• To implement and evaluate eight stakeholder-identified care pathways for adults with learning disabilities
• Our objectives are: 
           o  To set up an initial structured assessment process to decide the most appropriate care pathway. 
           o  To identify trigger points for high risk patients within each care pathway so that they can be prioritised and
                referred immediately to appropriate services. 
           o  To assess the impact of the implementation of pathways

Further Information:
If you would like more information about this project please contact Dr. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Start Date: 01/10/2010                                                                         Expected End Date: 30/09/11

Project Outcomes:
There will be knowledge gain in relation to pathway implementation, workforce development program and capturing patient experience and patient reported outcome in people with LD. There is currently very little research evidence on these areas. Project findings will also be used for the initial Payment by Results model in LD services that is likely to be rolled out locally and nationally for further detailed evaluation. At the same time, this process will build capacity for research in front line health and social care professionals and will involve people with learning disabilities and their carers in action research.