The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) in England has expressed concerns about the safety of individuals with learning disabilities who are admitted to hospitals. A review by the watchdog has revealed “persistent and widespread” risks associated with hospital care for individuals with learning disabilities. The HSSIB stated that personnel are not equipped with the appropriate resources or training to provide for the needs of these patients, and that there is a lack of support for specialist teams. In England, almost one million adults are living with a learning disability.
The HSSIB launched its review following a report about a 79-year-old man who passed away two weeks after a cardiac arrest, following admittance to hospital. The individual had a mild learning disability and struggled with hearing and speaking and was originally admitted to the hospital with chest and skin infections. While hospitalized, the man became anxious, and staff had difficulty communicating with him due to problems with his hearing aids. The difficulties were compounded when the specialist learning disability nurse employed by the hospital was on leave at the time.
Over the course of the man’s two weeks in the hospital, he refused care and blood tests. A successful blood test that revealed kidney failure was taken before the man died of a cardiac arrest. The HSSIB stated that the hospital did not meet the man’s needs properly. As part of its investigation, the HSSIB discovered other problems with the care of individuals with learning disabilities in England. The watchdog revealed that systems in place to share information about these individuals were unreliable, and that there was an inconsistency in the availability of specialist teams to support general personnel.
Clare Crowley, Senior Investigator at HSSIB, stated that if individuals’ requirements are not met, it can cause confusion and distress not only for the patient, but also their caregivers and families, as it increases the likelihood of poor health outcomes and, in extreme cases, harm. Saffron Cordery, representing hospitals for the NHS Providers, stated that such services are committed to eliminating any inequalities that these patients face. However, there needs to be an investment in training programs and a more dependable approach to specialist support
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