Adopting an outcome-based approach in the treatment of learning
disabled adults will provide more benefits to patients,
commissioners and society claimed Dr. Claire Royston, medical
director of Middlestead House - the community-based step-down unit
in Derby - in a recent presentation to the Care Pathways 2011
conference in London.
Dr Royston told the conference that currently there are over
80,000 individuals in prison. Of these, almost 6,000 have a
learning disability. Dr Royston believes their needs may be better
met with professional assessment and treatment in a specialist
facility that provides services for patients with complex
difficulties, including complex presentations of Autism or
Aspergers syndrome.
Speaking at the conference - a platform for the latest research
and updates on care pathways both in the UK and internationally -
Dr Royston said: "It's important to separate patients for treatment
from prisoners for punishment. Assessment is the first step and
following this, the formulation of an outcomes-based, individually
tailored care programme. Those with a learning disability are more
vulnerable and at greater risk in prison. Transferring them to
units where there are specialists who can provide appropriate care
is essential."
She highlighted how learning disabled people are at an increased
risk of being bullied and victimised in prison. They are five times
more likely to be physically restrained and three times more likely
to be segregated.
"Society will benefit from the proper treatment of these
offenders in specialist facilities as the result will be a lower
rate of re-offending. The prison environment does not provide them
with the treatment approaches they require." added Dr
Royston.
In her view an outcome-based approach in a specialist facility
enables the ever-changing needs of patients to be better catered
for. It is in line with the government's strategy of 'Valuing
People Now', focusing on the rights, choice, independence and
inclusion of those with learning disabilities. Not only has this
approach been proven to improve engagement with patients, it also
benefits members of staff by better matching their skills with
individual patient needs and allows for funding to be used more
efficiently.