People with learning disabilities find it harder to see a GP, says report

A new report titled “What’s your NHS like for you?” from Hywel Dda Community Health Council reveals that people with learning disabilities are often struggling to get an appointment with their GPs.

The Community Health Council held a joint event with Pembrokeshire People First (a charity run by and for people with learning disabilities and/or autism) to hear more from people with a learning disability and those who care for and about them about their day to day experiences of NHS services.

The resulting report reveals that due to increasing numbers of people trying to get an appointment with their GP, practices often resort to a ‘phone-in’ policy to see a doctor. This often makes it difficult for people with learning disabilities to work their way through the new arrangement. One person told the community health council that by the time they’d found someone to help them with calling a practice, all appointments were taken up.

Other concerns included difficulties with communication, including finding it hard to understand automated telephone menus or instructions on medication. The respondents told the community health council that although they understood doctors and NHS staff were usually trying to help, it could be frustrating when people spoke to their parents or carers instead of directly to them.

Some of the carers or support workers responding felt that at times, they were not listened to, even though they knew the person they were supporting very well.

However, many of the people surveyed had a range of very positive things to say about their NHS experiences, including liking the way that their doctor treated them. People frequently said that the NHS staff they see are kind and caring. The fact that NHS staff seem highly skilled was also a source of reassurance.

Other elements commended were text reminders for appointments, and helpful maps and signs.

Dr John Morgan, Chair of the Hywel Dda Community Health Council, said:

“Although people with a learning disability face specific challenges, we were interested to hear that the matters people raised reflect many of the same positive experiences of the NHS – and its challenges and difficulties – as anyone else.

“It was great to hear the praise for NHS staff from our respondents. Something as easy as being kind and caring can make a huge difference for patients, and it was heartening to see that some of the people we spoke to felt at ease.”

“However, the issues surrounding appointments and communication for people with learning disabilities is a real cause of concern for us. The general public often find it difficult to deal with problems such as finding an appointment, but it can be so much harder for people with learning disabilities.

“It is vital that the health board thinks of the needs of people with a learning disability when designing, developing and delivering all its healthcare services.”

Mae pobl ag anableddau dysgu yn ei chael yn anoddach gweld meddyg teulu, meddai’r adroddiad

Mae adroddiad newydd â’r teitl “Beth yw eich GIG fel i chi?” o Gyngor Iechyd Cymuned Hywel Dda yn datgelu bod pobl ag anableddau dysgu yn aml yn cael trafferth cael apwyntiad gyda’u Meddygon Teulu.

Cynhaliodd y Cyngor Iechyd Cymuned ddigwyddiad ar y cyd gyda Pembrokeshire People First (elusen sy’n cael ei redeg gan ac ar gyfer pobl ag anableddau dysgu a / neu awtistiaeth) i glywed mwy gan bobl ag anableddau dysgu a’r rhai sy’n gofalu amdanyn nhw am eu phrofiadau dydd i ddydd o wasanaethau’r GIG.

Mae’r adroddiad sy’n deillio o’r fath yn dangos, oherwydd bod nifer cynyddol o bobl yn ceisio cael apwyntiad gyda’u Meddyg Teulu, mae Meddygfeydd yn aml yn creu polisi ‘ffonio’ i weld meddyg. Mae hyn yn aml yn ei gwneud hi’n anodd i bobl ag anableddau dysgu weithio trwy’r trefniant newydd. Dywedodd un person wrth y Cyngor Iechyd Cymuned, erbyn iddynt ddod o hyd i rywun i’w helpu i alw’r ymarfer, roedd pob apwyntiad wedi mynd.

Roedd pryderon eraill yn cynnwys anawsterau gyda chyfathrebu, gan gynnwys trafferth deall opsiynau ffôn awtomataidd neu gyfarwyddiadau ar feddyginiaeth. Dywedodd yr ymatebwyr wrth y cyngor iechyd cymuned, er eu bod yn deall bod Meddygon a staff y GIG fel arfer yn ceisio helpu, gallai fod yn rhwystredig pan fyddai pobl yn siarad â’u rhieni neu ofalwyr yn lle’n uniongyrchol â nhw.

Roedd rhai o’r gofalwyr neu’r gweithwyr cefnogi a ymatebodd yn teimlo nad oeddent yn gwrando arnynt ar adegau, er eu bod yn adnabod y person yr oeddent yn ei gefnogi’n dda iawn.

Fodd bynnag, roedd gan nifer o’r bobl a holwyd ystod o bethau cadarnhaol iawn i’w ddweud am eu profiadau GIG, gan gynnwys hoffi’r ffordd y mae eu Meddyg yn eu trin. Dywedodd pobl yn aml fod staff y GIG yn garedig ac yn ofalgar. Roedd y ffaith bod staff y GIG yn ymddangos yn fedrus iawn hefyd yn ffynhonnell o sicrwydd.

Roedd elfennau eraill a ganmolwyd fel neges testun atgoffa ar gyfer apwyntiadau, a mapiau ac arwyddion defnyddiol.

Dywedodd Dr John Morgan, Cadeirydd Cyngor Iechyd Cymuned Hywel Dda:

“Er bod pobl ag anabledd dysgu yn wynebu heriau penodol, roedd yn ddiddorol clywed bod y materion a godwyd gan bobl yn adlewyrchu nifer o’r un profiadau cadarnhaol o’r GIG – a’i heriau ac anawsterau – fel unrhyw un arall.

“Roedd hi’n wych clywed canmoliaeth i staff y GIG o’n hymatebwyr. Gall rhywbeth mor hawdd â bod yn garedig a gofalgar wneud gwahaniaeth enfawr i gleifion, ac roedd hi’n galonogol gweld bod rhai o’r bobl siaradom â hwy yn teimlo’n gyfforddus.”

“Fodd bynnag, mae’r materion sy’n ymwneud â phenodi a chyfathrebu ar gyfer pobl ag anableddau dysgu yn achos pryder gwirioneddol i ni. Mae’r cyhoedd yn aml yn ei chael yn anodd delio â phroblemau megis cael apwyntiad, ond gall fod yn gymaint anoddach i bobl ag anableddau dysgu.

“Mae’n hanfodol bod y bwrdd iechyd yn meddwl am anghenion pobl ag anabledd dysgu wrth ddylunio, datblygu a chyflwyno ei holl wasanaethau gofal iechyd.”

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