Trust project shortlisted for HSJ Patient Safety Award
We are delighted to announce that a project which has been developed with the help of the Trust has been shortlisted for Learning Disabilities Initiative of the Year at this year’s Health Service Journal (HSJ) Patient Safety Awards.
NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit have joined forced with experts from our Trust. As well as others from University of Plymouth, SUDEP Action, and Epilepsy Action. Together, they have spearheaded a project which aims to reduce mortality in people with learning disabilities and epilepsy.
This programme aims to tackle the pressing issue of premature avoidable death amongst people with learning disabilities and autism living with epilepsy. The partnership worked closely with 11 integrated care systems across the Midlands. They supported them to mobilise partners in a whole-system approach to improvement.
The programme was inspired by the story of Clive Treacey. Clive had a learning disability and suffered from complex epilepsy. He spent much of his life moving between care providers and sadly died aged 47. In the resulting Clive Treacey Independent Review, a breadth of opportunities was identified for learning from Clive’s life. There were over 50 recommendations for system-wide improvement at a local, regional and national level.
Through the implementation of a tailored self-assessment tool and guided by lived experience and specialist expertise, NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit and partners helped systems establish a shared understanding of service delivery, workforce capacity, and capability, and generated evidence-based improvement plans. The programme works to support a reduction in avoidable deaths, health inequalities, and hospital admissions. It provides a framework for ongoing evaluation. A recent webinar explored the topic further.
“We, Clive’s entire family, have the privilege of carrying his love. Now a legacy, he would be so proud of within our hearts forever. We will forever be grateful and proud for the continuing dedication of so many who have supported and remain committed to Clive's way. We could never have imagined that Clive would help to galvanise a movement across all health and social care settings in the Midlands and beyond. To help create capable communities keeping people with learning disabilities and epilepsy safe and living well”. Elaine Clarke, sister of Clive Treacey