Health Action Planning Kathryn Joseph & Sharon Wood Strategic Health Facilitators Telephone:

Health Action Plans In 2001 the government brought out a report called ‘Valuing People: A new strategy for learning disabilities for the 21 st century’. The report made recommendations to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities in the following areas: Education, social services, housing, health, housing, employment & supporting carers

Health Action Plans In the report ‘Valuing People’ the government said each person with a learning disability should be offered a Health Action Plan by June 2005

Where are we now? ‘Valuing People Now’ (2008) - People with learning disabilities continue to have poorer health than the general population - The targets and objectives for Health Action Planning were not achieved Northants Evaluation of Health Action Planning - People were not involved in the planning of their own health - Plans were not being used or kept updated - Doctors surgeries were not aware of the Plans

Purpose of Health Action Plans The Plan: Is for the person Should be developed with them. Is a way of linking the person to services and support they need The plan will have information about: What the person is doing to stay healthy What things the person needs to to do to improve their health What help or support they might need to keep healthy and safe

Other functions of HAP’s Health Action Plans can also: Educate and inform other people working with the person Help to coordinate services Provide data to inform and influence services about the health needs of people with learning disabilities

Health Action Plans Along with Person Centred Planning, Health Action Plans are particularly important at key stages in people’s lives: Transition from child to adult services Leaving home Moving from one provider to another Changes in health status On retirement When planning transition for those living with older carers

What’s important for your own health? Exercise: What’s important for your health, wellbeing and safety? What do you need to make these things happen?

What should be in a HAP Identified health needs or issues What actions are needed to maintain health What actions are needed to improve health Who will help ensure these actions take place (especially if this is someone other than the health facilitator) Timescales for various actions and when there will be a follow up or a review.

My Health Action Plan Exercise: Develop your own plan

Integrating PCP and HAP Health Action Planning should be part of the Person Centred Planning process If people do not have good health then their rights, choices, independence and inclusion will be compromised How do you think you can use person centred approaches to address people’s health needs? How are you going to incorporate these health needs in the person’s PCP?

The health needs of people with learning disabilities More likely than the general population: To die of respiratory disease To die from gastrointestinal cancer To develop dementia To develop schizophrenia To develop coronary heart disease

The health needs of people with learning disabilities More likely to be obese or under weight 80% of people engage in levels of activity below the recommended levels Higher incidence of physical & sensory disabilities Less likely to undergo a cervical screening test Less likely to undergo breast screening

Health checks Well person clinics Screening Long term conditions Mental health Annual health checks ‘The Health Check and Health Action Plan Booklet’

Barriers to accessing healthcare & achieving good health Exercise: What are the barriers faced by people with learning disabilities to in accessing healthcare and achieving good health?

Barriers to achieving good health Communication Low expectation Physical access Lack of accessible information Fear of health professionals Lack of time Physical environment Poor information from carers Poor support Lack of education Lack of preparation Additional needs e.g. Autism

Health Facilitation Strategic level Specialist level Individual level Varying levels of support to the person

The individual level Role and responsibilities: Support the person to understand HAP Supporting the person to develop a HAP Helping to identify and record health needs on the HAP Supporting the person to access services

The individual level Role and responsibilities: Ensure that the HAP is an integral part of the person’s PCP and other plans Helping to identify and meet health education needs Supporting the person to review the HAP Supporting the person to raise concerns

Being a good Health Facilitator Exercise: What do you think would make a good Health Facilitator? What support do you think you would need to fulfil the role?