Why reasonable adjustments are important for people with learning disablilities
Following a successful national trial, NHS organisations are starting to place a new alert flag on the health records of people with disabilities, including learning disabilities. This will make it easier for health and care workers to make reasonable adjustments for them.
Letting the NHS know you or someone you care for needs support
From April 2024 organisations must have a process in place to identify, record and flag reasonable adjustments using currently available local systems.
By 31 December 2025 all aspects of the standard should be conformed to by NHS services.
The video below talks about how using a flag or a note on your or someone you care for's computer health record and how extra information in your summary care record can help. It has been put together with people with a learning disability.
What are the benefits on your health record?
- The flag is immediately visible when the person is referred or presents for care, often when no other information is available.
- It will ensure that details of impairments and other key information (such as communication requirements) are shared consistently across the NHS – with patient consent.
- Supports carers to feel less stressed by informing them of adjustments to services.
- It can help to reduce stress both for the patient and those treating them.
- Specialist teams will be able to set the flag – driving up the number of patients recorded on registers, who are identified for and can benefit from adjustments. This will help screening services to adapt services to ensure patients receive screening.
What the NHS say
"Implementation of the Reasonable Adjustments flag holds huge potential for improving health outcomes for people with learning disabilities and autism, ultimately saving lives.
"The flag is immediately visible to those involved in the person's care and ensures that details of a person's specific disabilities are shared consistently so that the right adjustments for the individual can be made.
"It makes life easier for carers as they will know what adjustments are being made, and for patients, who should experience less stress when they attend their appointment."
"The new alert flag on health records will make it easier for people to access screening and other preventative services which will help them to stay well in the longer term."
