title: The effectiveness of services for people with learning disabilities.
abstract: The government white paper The New NHS has placed emphasis on service effectiveness and expects it to be measured. Clinical governance is expected to provide robust internal mechanisms for this. A National Institute for Clinical Effectiveness will provide a lead on clinical and cost-effectiveness and a Commission for Health Improvement oversee the quality of clinical services (Department of Health, 1997). Signposts for Success (NHS Executive, 1998) sets out good practice guidance for commissioners and providers of health services for people with learning disabilities. This states that its aim is to deliver 'person-centred services, equality of access, support to use services and social inclusion', person-centred services being defined as those that put 'service users' wishes and needs at the centre'. This article looks at how one trust is trying to meet these requirements following this guidance.
authors.affiliation: Learning Disability Services, Severn NHS Trust, Gloucester.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cash
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires