Learning Disabilities 8 Week Surgical Pathway Shortlisted for National Award

HSJ certificate for our learning disabilities 8 week surgical pathway

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust (MYHT) has been shortlisted for Learning Disabilities Initiative of the Year at the Patient Safety Awards 2022 for work developing the Learning Disability 8 Week Surgical Pathway. Congratulations to everyone involved in the pathway.

The HSJ Disabilities Initiative of the Year highlights initiatives which have delivered compassionate, efficient and most importantly safe services. The category seeks projects that have demonstrably increased the safety and reliability of care for those with learning disabilities, whether generally or for a specific condition or need.

The MYHT Learning Disability 8 Week Surgical Pathway was developed in response to the 2018 Learning Disabilities Mortality Review, which found the median age at death for people with a learning disability was 60 years old for men and 59 years old for women (aged four and over) who died April 2017 to December 2018. This is significantly less than the median age of death of 83 years old for men and 86 years old for women in the general population.

At MYHT we recognise people with a learning disability as a priority for surgical patient treatment lists. We ensure the fair treatment of all and offer people with learning difficulties reasonable adjustments for their appointment or any potential theatre listing.

The shortlisted pathway aims to list a patient with a learning disability within eight weeks of a ‘decision to admit’ being made. This early intervention reduces a delay in treatment, aims to reduce the risk of a person’s condition deteriorating and safeguards people with a learning disability that are unable to escalate a need to expedite their surgery. The aim is to increase life expectancy of patients with a learning disability, in line with those who do not have a disability.

A patient who was able to be seen in eight weeks instead of the perceived 52 weeks said;

''I am grateful for the new pathway because it means I am no longer in pain. If I wasn't seen in 8 weeks my pain would get worse and I would no longer be able to work. My carers would have to help me more and I wouldn't be able to help myself as much. I wouldn't know how to tell someone I needed help, so this meant I got the help I needed and helped me stay independent."

The winner will be announced during the HSJ Patient Safety Award ceremony on 15 September 2022. Good luck to everyone involved!