1. General Anaesthetics & Diagnostic Imaging Pathway
Judith Thompson – North East and Cumbria Learning Disability Network Manager
Kath Jones – Delivery Manager CNE Cancer Alliance

2. Where did the work come from?
The work came from the Access to Acute Network peer review session whereby a real case study was spoken about
We know there is variation across CNE about what services are offered
Reasonable adjustments became law in the Disability Discriminations Act 1995
The Equalities Act 2010 imposed a ‘duty’ on the public sector to make reasonable adjustments
So the North East and Cumbria learning disability network and the Cumbria North East Cancer Alliance decided to work together to tackle this inequality

3. What is a reasonable adjustment?
The NHS has to make it as easy for disabled people to use health services as it is for people who are not disabled.
These could be things like:
making sure there is wheelchair access in hospitals
providing easy read appointment letters
giving someone a priority appointment if they find it difficult waiting in their GP surgery or hospital
longer appointments if someone needs more time with a doctor or nurse to make sure they understand the information they are given

4. What we did?
Stakeholders including colleagues from radiology, anaesthetics and learning disability liaison formed task and finish group
Aim to develop a reasonably adjusted care pathway for patients with learning disabilities who require General Anaesthetic for diagnostic imaging
Pathway will also be useful for other vulnerable people who require a similar reasonable adjustment

5. The Pathway
Some Trusts can provide general anaesthetic for diagnostic imaging ‘in house’, some can’t
The pathway divides into 2 possible scenarios depending on this
A Service Level Agreement is also developed for those Trusts unable to provide service ‘in house’ where one Trust can purchase it from another.

7. The Service Level Agreement
For the provision of
General Anaesthetic for diagnostic imaging for people with learning disabilities
Between
…………………………………………………………
And
Title of Agreement
Provision of Diagnostic imaging with GA for people with learning disabilities
Agreement Reference Number
Commencement Date
Review Date

8. Guidance Referral point in to the system GA provided in House
MDT Discussion / Co-ordination
If GA not provided follow SLA
Radiology

9. Next steps
Communication plan implemented to share and cascade pathway widely with key stakeholders
Trust asked to review and comment on pathway
Trusts willing to provide on behalf of other Trusts to agree in principle
Finalise pathway and circulate
Trusts ‘localise’ and implement pathway

10. Any questions?