Secondary health care for people with learning disabilities.
The current evidence base shows that people with learning disabilities experience difficulties in identifying and meeting their own specific health needs, and in accessing appropriate health services. There are particular difficulties relating to access to acute healthcare services. A number of initiatives are being developed to try to improve the situation. This article explores the current evidence base, highlights examples of best practice and makes recommendations for future practice and service development.
Hannon
Lynn
L
Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust, Blackburn. lyn.hannon@hrvpct.nhs.uk
D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration; D019091:Critical Pathways; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005544:Forecasting; D006285:Health Planning; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000628:therapy*; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D006113:United Kingdom