It’s a shame the LD GRAPHICS and especially Christopher’s Artwork doesn’t copy but I don’t know how I can get over this. Sorry.
People with learning disabilities – COVID-19 Support and Action Group
Wednesday 27th January 2021 1. Present
Andrew Firielle Kieran Patricia Sarah
Joanne Peter Simone Olcay
Jenny Gordon Russell Eve Christopher Darren Gary Philipa
Guest speaker: Svetlana Kotova (Inclusion London)
2. Introductions
Andrew welcomed everyone to the meeting and then Jenny asked how we were all feeling.
Generally everyone said they were feeling ok and also shared what they had been doing.
Peter has featured on the Nicky Fox piece on the news and Gary had been filmed by BBC South about the phone buddies project.
1
|
3. Review of action agreed at the last meeting |
|
|
1. Find out how we can be involved in the Mental Health Act Reform consultation. The consultation is open until 21st April 2021. Mental Health Act 2020 (dhsc.gov.uk) A tender opportunity is out asking for an organisation to facilitate consultation events. |
|
|
2. Find out what scams are going around about Covid- 19 vaccinations All – still to do |
|
|
3. Invite Lisa Proctor to a meeting to discuss Peer Support in the NHS. Philipa asked Lisa, date to be agreed. |
|
|
4. Draft a letter to Wirral Council about the consultation. Draft letter sent to Jenny, Kieran and Russell |
|
|
5. Contact Anna Bowden at the Guardian about writing an article Philipa |
|
2
3. Discussion with Svetlana Kotova
Svetlana works for Inclusion London and is responsible for campaigns. She is a lawyer and informs people about their rights and how to use the law.
Some of the things we wanted to know about were:
-
What are our rights to support during Covid-19
(How does the Covid-19 Act affect this?)
-
How is reduced support affecting people’s ability to
work and go out?
-
The impact of loneliness and isolation
-
Are care assessments happening? Can Local
Authorities refuse to do them?
-
IQ levels and thresholds to care 70/71
-
Support plans for couples – boundaries of care
Svetlana said the following:
All people who have support needs have the right to care and support. This remains the same under the Coronavirus Act with only very small exceptions to people under Continuing Health Care and speeding up the discharge process to free up hospital beds. The changes set out in the Coronavirus Act have not yet been implemented.
3
We all have a right:
To social care
For our human rights to be respected Not be treated badly because of our disability
To get accessible information if needed
To receive health treatment if the resources are available and a doctor agrees
|
During the pandemic, hospitals have had to assess patient safety if treatment is needed. |
|
|
Carers are able to go into people’s homes as long as all the rules are kept to, help people with travel and meeting up with others. |
|
|
It is the Local Authorities responsibility to make sure people have support and all their essentials. |
|
|
We discussed ‘reasonable adjustments’. Many front line workers aren’t aware of what it means. Svetlana said this is common. Is it that they don’t know or ignore it? |
4
|
GPs can decide whether you can have a face-to-face appointment. They can refuse if you have Covid-19 symptoms, but if you really feel a face-to-face appointment is necessary then you can request one. |
|
|
We discussed ‘shielding’. Some people said it was not a useful policy and was used by some providers of care as an excuse to withdraw support. |
|
|
Svetlana spoke about the right to a care assessment. If evidence of an impairment or support need can be provided (now or in the past), then you should not be refused a care assessment. This is in the Care Act. |
|
|
We also discussed how some people are not following the rules, but acknowledged that some people have exemptions (for example, they don’t have to wear a face covering if they have breathing problems or anxiety issues). |
5
There were many more questions but due to time had to stop. We agreed to arrange a date for Svetlana to come back.
NHS England tender
There is an opportunity to tender for a 6 week piece of work to produce an easy read housing guide. Philipa described what the work entailed and asked the group if they would like to be involved.
Everyone agreed in principle. More details will be shared.
National Lottery Community Fund – Partnerships
This fund is open and would be a good fit for continuation funding for the group. A partnership of existing self-advocacy organisations in the group could apply together. Sarah will follow this up.
Research Warwick
Here is the link to the study website: www.covid19learningdisabilities.co.uk and our project twitter page:
|
5. Information exchange |
Coronavirus and Learning Disability Study
(@CoronavirusLD) / Twitter
for information about the
study.
6
CLARITY Session 4: Listening Session
Tuesday 9th February
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/clarity-session-4- listening-session-tickets- 136792974469?aff=erelexpmlt
2021 7.30pm-9.30pm
|
6. Action agreed |
|
|
1. Arrange a date for Svetlana to come back to the group. Andrew & Sarah |
|
Christopher’s artwork from the session - on the following page
Comments