VODG Discussion paper: Awareness and adjustments are key to tackling health inequalities

Greater awareness of the health issues experienced by disabled people and the use of reasonable adjustments are vital if individuals are to have better health outcomes. These are among the good practice steps for health and care staff outlined in a new publication released today.

The VODG discussion paper, Tackling Health Inequalities, sets out what social care providers believe can help or hinder the health treatment of people supported.

The issue of health inequalities is a VODG priority. The publication follows a recent event on the issue as well as the re-launch of the learning disability health charter, which now includes dealing with over-medication.

Read more here.

FREE ONLINE COURSE: The Role of Personal Assistants in Disability Support

Improve working relationships between disabled people and personal assistants

Disabled people can now receive funding from their local authority to employ a personal assistant. While this gives them more personalised care in their own home, it also turns them into an employer.

This online course explores the role of personal assistance, and the risks and opportunities associated with it.

The course will encourage you to discuss ways to avoid and/or manage personal conflicts, whether you’re a disabled person or a personal assistant. It’s based on new evidence about the close working relationship between disabled people and their support workers – and how to improve it.

Find out more about this free online FutureLearn course.