The MRI team at Isle of Wight NHS Trust is celebrating after achieving the Level 1 Learning Disability Friendly Standards accreditation, recognising the department’s commitment to delivering more accessible, inclusive and person-centred care for patients with learning disabilities.
The accreditation acknowledges the work undertaken to improve the experience of patients attending MRI appointments, helping to reduce anxiety and ensure individuals receive the reasonable adjustments they need.
A key part of the accreditation process involved collaboration with the Learning Disability Team from Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, including Jon, who supported the team throughout the journey and provided insight from a lived experience perspective.
Jon has said:
“Being able to have the opportunity to visit the department before an appointment can make a huge difference for people with learning disabilities. It helps reduce fear and uncertainty.
“The extra appointment time is also really important because it allows people to feel more comfortable, understood and supported.”
The work was led by Isle of Wight NHS Trust Radiography Assistant Jessica Taton-Kugel, who worked alongside colleagues, patients and the Learning Disability Experts by Experience Team to introduce a range of supportive resources and improvements within the department.
These included accessible information, easy read materials, staff training resources and videos designed to help patients better understand what to expect during MRI appointments.
The department also introduced pre-visit opportunities, allowing patients with learning disabilities to familiarise themselves with the MRI environment and equipment before their appointment, helping to ease anxiety.
Jessica Taton-Kugel, Radiography Assistant, has said:
“We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Level 1 Learning Disability Friendly accreditation. This has been a real team effort and demonstrates our commitment to making MRI services more accessible and less daunting for people with learning disabilities.
“Small adjustments can have a significant impact on a patient’s experience and outcomes.”
The Learning Disability Friendly Standards were developed by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to support departments in improving care, communication and reasonable adjustments for patients with learning disabilities in line with national guidance and best practice.
Other NHS trusts across the region were later encouraged by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board to adopt the standards.
Steven Reynolds, Learning Disability Specialist Nurse at Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, has said:
“This accreditation is incredibly important because we know that people with learning disabilities continue to experience significant health inequalities and are more likely to die earlier than the general population.
“By working towards Learning Disability Friendly standards, we are ensuring our services follow best practice guidance, make reasonable adjustments and provide more personalised, compassionate care.”
Other departments at Isle of Wight NHS Trust are also working towards achieving the Level 1 accreditation, including phlebotomy, the day surgery ward, day surgery theatres and the intensive care unit.
What an absolute waste of time and resources. Virtue signalling at it’s finest. For ‘level 1’ see common sense!!!
The NHS has been taken over by lunatics. This Marxist Labour government needs to be gone
The NHS is a never ending cash cow.