Promoting Health Services for people with a learning disability

On Thursday 11 September, at Herne Farm Leisure Centre on Moggs Mead, a range of health services for people with a learning disability were promoted. 

People with a learning disability still experience health inequalities and an effort is being made to close this gap with supporting services, that are easy to contact and communicate with.

Speaking to Mike Waddington are the NHS Learning Disability Nurses Amy George and Marta Coates – also professionals from physiotherapy, diabetes (with Diabetes Barbie), the ambulance service, and sexual and reproductive health, many of which use Makaton, a simpler version of British Sign Language.

Other groups like Gloji  help with diet, exercise and stopping smoking  — see Gloji – Digital Weight Management

One group is Love4Life, which combats loneliness with social activities and even helps people find love if that’s what they are looking for (they chaperone dates.)

They also need more volunteers too. See : Love4Life 

Diabetes screening at www.desphiow.co.uk

NHS Strategic Health facilitators, the NHS Community Nurses can be reached at : shfthealthfacilitators@southernhealth.nhs.uk