What the group does
The group has quarterly evening meetings using Microsoft Teams. The meetings usually have a range of relevant speakers and discussion.
There is a lively WhatsApp group for sharing of learning, queries, policy etc. We also have a DISCORD group for people on the Medical Practice in Adult Learning Disability | PGCert | Edge Hill University, a course run for professionals interested in more detailed knowledge about people with a learning disability
The group regularly creates training opportunities in learning disability through the RCGP in learning disability – One Day Essential, afternoon/evening webinars.
Group members provide input to NHSE learning disability team about the role of primary care in supporting people. Group members also provide insights to RCGP on caring for people with a learning disability.
RCGP learning disabilities resources
- Vaccinations in people with learning disabilities (RCGP eLearning)
- The GP+ Careers Podcast: GP+ Learning Disabilities with Dr Ayesha Mahmud
One Day Essential (ODE)
The RCGP runs One day essential meetings online and we contribute a list of topics, talks and support the delivery of the educational day
RCGP and other SIG interaction
The SIG also interacts with the other RCGP SIGs e.g. adolescent health, and other professional's SIGs e.g. prescribing, safeguarding, health inequalities, neurodiversity and contributes to the RCGP conferences and other conferences if possible.
Regional and national work
- Involvement in national discussions e.g. annual health checks, coding, reasonable adjustment flag
- Involvement in the national learning disability senate
- Using our roles and interest to influence at any level
- Many of our group have PCN, ICB and academic roles, but this is not expected.
- Research Learning Disabilities and Autism Research Group | Society for Academic Primary Care
Group members
Kirsten Lamb - Honorary Chair
Kirsten Lamb is our Honorary Chair who has grown the group to 100+ members. Ella Baines is our Hon Secretary who will let you know about the three-monthly virtual meetings on a Thursday Evening 20-2130 co-chaired by Alison Tavare alison.tavare@nhs.net and Kathy Petersen katharine.petersen@nhs.net the times of which are subject to change.
Kirsten has set up and contributes to Medical Practice in Adult Learning Disability | PGCert | Edge Hill University
Dr Rachel Gaywood - Learning Disability SIG Deputy Chair
Rachel is a GP in South Devon and Clinical Lead for Learning Disability and Neurodiversity for NHS Devon. She has spent many years carrying out Annual Health Checks and strives to improve access to General Practice for Neurodivergent and Learning Disability patients. She set up a network of Learning Disability Champions across Devon and supports them through education and advice.
Rachel was one of the first cohort to complete the PGCert in Medical Care of adults with a Learning Disability and is an active member of the RCGP Special Interest Group as well as many local and national groups. She is involved in national working groups for Mental Capacity Act and STOMP and has presented on a number of topics including Annual Health Checks, transition, neurodiversity and STOMP both regionally and nationally.
Steering group
We have a small informal steering group to ensure no one person is left with any onerous work in organising things like the meetings and the One Day Essential which is annual and virtual.
Umesh Chauhan brings expertise around Leder but will also send you the link to the virtual meetings and a recording of each if you are unable to attend on the day.
We also share information, work in progress and finished pieces, and would welcome input from new members and their wider teams to our group.
Please email Ella ellabaines@nhs.net with your full name, phone number, and job description so that she can connect you to the WhatsApp group and email mailing list. Once you have been added, you can introduce yourself to the rest of the group.
- Toolkit: Acute medical care for people with a learning disability
- Learning Disability Annual Health Check Toolkit
- Management of epilepsy in adults with intellectual disability
- Be Screening Aware, Learning Disability Network
- NHS England Digital: Reasonable Adjustment Flag
- Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag - NHS Standards Directory
- NHS England: Constipation and people with a learning disability
- Prevention of Adult Not Brought Strategy
- The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism
News cycle
Welcome to our breaking news
Our next meeting is [date, time] on widening participation in research with patient benefit and the TRANSFORM trial
New NICE guidance on sepsis
New sepsis guideline targets faster, tailored treatments to benefit patients | NICE
The guideline recommends assessing people who might have sepsis with extra care if English is not their first language, or for people with communication challenges such as those associated with neurodiversity, cognitive impairment, learning disabilities, severe mental health conditions or brain injury. It also includes a research recommendation on how rapid microbiological testing could help to effectively manage people with suspected sepsis.
LeDeR report to be reviewed, final submission awaited
British Geriatric Society pragmatic prescribing guidance
Flu vaccination
There is still time to improve the uptake of respiratory vaccination for people with a learning disability
Flu vaccinations: supporting people with learning disabilities - GOV.UK
Diabetes
Excellent tools and resources to improve the care of people with a learning disability and diabetes developed with easy read content, videos and supporting documents for families and carers
Improving care for people with diabetes and a learning disability | Diabetes UK
Connect with us
If you are interested in joining the Learning Disability group or you would like more information, please contact us at advocates@rcgp.org.uk, and we will connect you with the appropriate person.
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