Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital staff win equality award

Staff working at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital have won a top equality award for ground-breaking work to help people with learning disabilities access hospital services.

The NNUH team, led by practice development nurse Stephanie Read, received first place in the Best Practice in Equalities awards. The event was opened by Barbara Follett, Minister for the East of England, at the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) Eastern awards held in Newmarket on 23 June.

The award was for worked developed by NNUH nurses to help deliver more equitable services for people with learning disabilities (LD). The project was started in 2006 and has seen the delivery of an e-learning disability package to 1,000 staff, over-subscribed LD study days, and the direct involvement of people with LD and carers in improving services.

The study days have enabled clinical staff to better understand the health and communications needs of people with learning disability. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's voluntary services team has also enabled people with learning disabilities to play an active role in the meeting and greeting service at the hospital.

Nationally, a number of reports have highlighted that people with learning disabilities are more likely to experience barriers in accessing all aspects of healthcare. The learning disability work at NNUH developed from the trust's Equality and Diversity strategy.

Deputy Director of Nursing Carol Edwards said; “This work has seen us working closely with people with learning disabilities and their families and they have inspired the drive for change through their stories and experience. They have become valued members of our team and the fact that we won this award against a lot of competition from other health and social care organisations is a testament to the important contribution that has been made by all concerned.”