More MS news articles for June 2004

Framework for improvement

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/news_events/news/daily/framwk04.html

June 11, 2004
Multiple Sclerosis Society

A joint initiative to help deliver improvements for disabled people in health and social care settings has been launched by Health Secretary John Reid and Chair of the Disability Rights Commission Bert Massie.

The Action on Disability Partnership Framework will help the NHS comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. This says service providers must not discriminate or provide a poorer quality of service to disabled people because of their disability.

The Framework includes:

working with the new health and social care inspectorates to develop approaches for evaluating the quality of services for disabled people;

the design and delivery of a disability equality training strategy for the NHS workforce

guidance and support for Primary Care Trusts on improving services for disabled people; and

an easy-to-use leaflet for hospital staff called 'You Can Make a Difference - Improving Hospital Services for Disabled People'.

The leaflet suggests practical measures NHS staff in Acute Trusts, Ambulance Trusts and Mental Health Trusts can take to improve disabled people’s experience of hospital services.

For example:

Check how the service user wishes to be examined e.g. remaining in their wheelchair.

Avoid using complicated language or jargon when giving a diagnosis or explaining a treatment procedure and take time to explain it.

Avoid further impairing disabled service users - a badly placed intravenous drip can prevent someone using sign language.

Regularly seek to audit the way in which services are delivered. A feedback form can help to assess current service provision and to identify areas for improvement.

Said John Reid , "By working closely with the Disability Rights Commission we will be better able to deliver on our joint aim to improve the experiences of all disabled people, both service users and employees, in the health and social care system."

Mr. Massie added, "One third of all people using NHS services are disabled. Ensuring that they are able to use health services in the same way as everyone else is vitally important. The framework we have developed with the DoH provides clear steps for front line NHS staff to take to meet their obligations under the DDA and with it deliver high quality health care to all who need them."