Healthwatch Sefton in partnership with People First Merseyside supports commissioners to listen to the experiences of residents with a learning disability, which will help shape next year’s local quality contract scheme for GP practices.

This report details the experiences of 17 member from People First Merseyside about their experiences of accessing services at their GP practice. Since we have gathered this feedback, we have been working with leaders in primary care making sure they listen to the first hand experiences of those with a learning disability.

Key themes included the need for reasonable adjustments to be made, including longer appointments. Access to medication reviews and support to use digital services, including online check in screens in GP practices were also highlighted.

It is important that fully accessible health services are available for patients with sensory disabilities or other communication needs. Supported by GP practices, hospitals and other health services across the Cheshire and Merseyside area, the 5 Rights campaign aims to highlight how the NHS is required to follow 5 steps when providing care to anyone who is D/deaf, blind or visually impaired, has speech or language difficulties, or any other communication needs.

The 5 steps which should be followed are:

• Ask if you have any communication needs.
• Record those needs on your health records.
• Ensure those needs are easily visible on your records.
• Share those needs with other services if you are being referred.
• Make sure those needs are met as part of your care.

Jan Comer, Sefton Development Worker. People First Merseyside said:

“Members from People First Merseyside would like to thank Healthwatch Sefton for all their hard work. The report reflects all of the questions we asked and suggestions we made. We believe that if you have an alert/flag on your patient records, longer appointment times should automatically be offered. If there are big turnovers in staff in GP practices then ongoing training should be in place”.

Read the report

To read the full report click here.

We hope you find our report interesting. We will continue to work with colleagues from Sefton Council, local providers and commissioners on ensuring that information and access to services are accessible. We are a key partner of the Sefton Accessible Information Partnership so please continue to share your feedback by getting in touch, particularly if you believe the 5 steps have not been followed for you.

Share your own feedback

If you would like to share your own feedback on any of your NHS health and social care providers please click here. All you need to do is search for the name of your provider and leave anonymous feedback. Or alternatively you can contact us another way to leave feedback through email info@healthwatchsefton.co.uk or call us on FREEPHONE 0800 206 1304.