Fardeen Siddiqui, Sidqam CEO gives his thoughts on the recent report by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) which has found that there are “persistent and widespread” risks to the safety of people with learning disabilities in hospitals. The report highlights a number of cases where patients with learning disabilities have been harmed or died as a result of inadequate care.
“The HSSIB’s report found that there are a number of factors that contribute to the risks faced by people with learning disabilities in hospitals. These include:
- A lack of understanding of learning disabilities among staff
- A lack of training for staff on how to care for people with learning disabilities
- A lack of resources for people with learning disabilities in hospitals
- The report recommends that the NHS should take steps to address these issues. These include:
- Providing more training for staff on learning disabilities
- Appointing learning disability champions in hospitals and LD environments
- Making sure that there are enough resources for people with learning disabilities in hospitals
My Opinion
I believe that the findings of the HSSIB’s report are deeply concerning. It is unacceptable that people with learning disabilities are at such high risk of harm, and urgent action must be taken to address the issues identified in the report. It’s essential to recognize that people with learning disabilities are individuals first and foremost. Just like you and me, they have unique needs, preferences, and aspirations, and their disability does not define them.
In addition to the recommendations made by the HSSIB, I believe that the following steps should be taken:
- All hospital staff should be required to undertake training on learning disabilities.
- More learning disability specialists should be employed in hospitals.
- There should be a greater focus on patient-centered care, ensuring that patients with learning disabilities are involved in decisions about their care.
- The NHS should work with charities and other organizations to raise awareness of the needs of people with learning disabilities.
I believe that these steps would help to improve the safety of people with learning disabilities in hospitals. I have a deep connection to the community care sector and, supported by my exemplary and committed team spread across the globe, are continuing to make strides in delivering software solutions that are focused on improving the lives of those who need our support. To that end, we partnered with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB to develop our Deterioration Monitoring and Escalation software, the only full version of the popular RESTORE2 paper system, which lead to developing our Care Planning and Learning Disability software that have been very well received thanks to its focus on the end user and ease of us for the caregiver, while providing flexibility to cater to basic or advanced functionality, depending on what you require.
Together, we can make sure that people with learning disabilities receive the safe and high-quality care that they deserve.
Thank you,
Fardeen Siddiqui
CEO, Sidqam Limited
Recent Comments