A woman who has worked to help educate trainee GPs about people with learning disabilities has been recognised for her contribution and integrity.
Liz Black, from Bath, who is a Performance Coach for learning disability and autism support provider Dimensions, has been supporting a man with learning disabilities to attend a GP training programme to speak about what it is really like to have a learning disability.
She received the award at the annual ‘Inspiring People’ awards ceremony hosted by Dimensions.
The awards, held at ODEON in Swiss Cottage in London today (11th September), are aimed at valuing the organisation’s staff and recognising good practice.
Jackie Fletcher, Executive Director of Quality and Compliance at Dimensions, who nominated Liz for the award, said: “For the past three years, Liz and Bob Dale, a person who we support, have been along to meet with GP trainees as part of their training programme.
“They talk about how important it is for GPs to understand the challenges faced by people with a learning disability.
“Every year Liz and Bob receive excellent feedback from the trainees. They always say they have been inspired and that more GPs should hear from people like Liz and Bob.”
Bob, 63, from Colchester, who has learning disabilities and is now supported to live in his own home by Dimensions, was placed in an institution for 46 years.
Asked what it was like living there, he said: “It was blooming awful. I couldn’t make choices about what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. I wasn’t allowed out often.”
Bob and Liz Black present at the GP training course for Windsor VTS Scheme where they share Bob’s experience in an institution with the trainee GPs.
Liz explained: “I am really pleased and humbled to be receiving this award – but praise must also go to Bob for his effort and time too. It’s really very emotive.
“In the sessions, the trainees start to understand why it is that some people with learning disabilities find visiting doctors difficult; they can associate formal medical settings as a reminder of an institution they used to live in.
“The way GPs approach people with learning disabilities and autism is essential in gaining trust and offering the right medical treatment.”
Bob talks to the trainee GPs about how his life is so much better now because he able to do what he wants, when and with whom.
Jackie Fletcher added: “All people with learning disabilities need healthcare just like everyone else, and Dimensions is focused on making sure that people have the best treatment possible.
“By sharing personal experiences the doctors will be more aware of the reality of living with a learning disability and better understand people’s needs and behaviours.
“Also important is ensuring that GPs know that people with learning disabilities can display complex behaviours for historical reasons. This is especially key at present, with the focus on moving people away from institutions in the wake of the Winterbourne View report.”
In the training sessions, Liz and Bob talk to the trainee GPs about legislation concerning people with learning disabilities and how people used to be treated in institutions.
They talk about the impact that institutions have on people’s behaviour and Bob explains to them how it affected him personally.
In addition, Bob and Liz also point out signs of abuse to the trainee GPs, explain the importance of health action plans and also emphasise the need to communicate effectively.
Dimensions trains GPs so that those entering the medical profession are better informed about people with learning disabilities, how to treat and communicate with them and enable people to find a GP visit less daunting.
A spokesman for Windsor VTS Scheme said: “The trainees thoroughly enjoy the session and find Bob’s contribution particularly valuable. They learn a great deal about learning disability which will be relevant to their future careers as GPs.”
Dimensions Chief Executive Steve Scown said: “Our inspiring staff members help bring our values to life. We employ around 5,000 trained people who are dedicated and committed to Dimensions work and our award winners have raised the bar for their colleagues.
“Looking across the sector, they’ve helped to establish our reputation for being person- centred and I’m inspired by how they are making a difference to so many peoples’ lives.”
