A system of purple pathways developed by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is in use to help patients with learning disabilities or autism experience the best journey through their hospitals.The information is presented as flowcharts that show clinicians and staff how the patient needs to move through hospital services to receive their treatments.

The charts are also detailed with contact information for further support. The purple pathways are being used across the trust in A&E, inpatients, outpatients, maternity and discharge.

The pathways are an integral part of their Learning Disabilities and Autism Policy and Procedure.

The discharge pathway is also included in the Trust’s discharge policy and is the accepted tri-borough discharge pathway.

More information here:

https://fabnhsstuff.net/2017/07/03/imperial-lead-way-patients-learning-disabilities/

Mencap are launching a new health campaign in October and will be working in the Surrey, Kent and Sussex areas over the next 3 years on this campaign.

As part of the campaign Mencap are hosting three workshops in Brighton and Worthing in September and and October prior to the launch.

The first workshop will be a rights based event with the two follow up workshops focussing on health campaigning.

More information contact:

Mike Le-Surf

Mencap Campaigns Officer – South of England

Michael.LeSurf@mencap.org.uk

Campaigner Workshop Brighton OctoberCampaigner Workshop 3 Brighton October 30 Campaigner Workshop Brighton October Campaigner Workshop Brighton

Mental Health of Learning Disabilities (MHLD) Forum

Thursday 13th July 9.15-12.15

(open to ALL staff supporting people with Learning Disabilities and Mental Health problems)

Venue: Activities Hall, Archery House (1st glass door to left of building),

Bow Arrow Lane, Dartford, Kent. DA2 6BP

No need to book – just turn up!

More information on presenters here:

7. LDMPF Flyer – July 2017

Is your school following the SEND Code of Practice?

The SEND Code of Practice 2015 has been the catalyst for the biggest changes in provision for pupils with special educational needs and disability (SEND) in a generation. But how are schools, early years and further education settings managing to meet its requirements and recommendations? We take a look at some of the commonly raised aspects of the code and offer some practical advice.

More information in this article from Network Autism:

http://network.autism.org.uk/knowledge/insight-opinion/send-code-practice-advice-schools

BBC Wales reports on warnings that delays in autism diagnosis for children and young people may lead to self-harm and other mental health problems. The article includes the example of a 12 year old girl who has only recently been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome despite having mental health issues for some time, resulting in her missing a year of school. It looks at suggestions that some autistic children and young people are being missed by mental health

More information on Autism and self-harm here:

http://network.autism.org.uk/knowledge/insight-opinion/self-harm-and-autism-interview-lucy-sanctuary