"The service's support has made a huge difference"

My sister, who has learning and sensory disabilities, has had numerous appointments for health checks in the past year, starting with her annual review in March 2023. She received incredible support from the Learning Disability Services 

Health Facilitation Nurse, Jayne, throughout all her appointments which made them much more accessible than previous experiences, due in part to my limited knowledge and skills in how to access services appropriately based on her specific needs.

My sister gets very anxious when she visits the any medical venue as she has a fear of needles and is very sensitive to any touch, even getting a blood pressure check is stressful for her, and she required a lot of needles in the past nine months so it has been a challenging time for her.

She also had to attend hospital for an endoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy procedure, I believe this would not have been possible without the support she received. For each appointment Jayne not only helped my sister and I (as carer) feel prepared and less apprehensive, she also briefed other Trust staff who would be involved and negotiated adjustments to accommodate her needs. 

Jayne also put us in touch with a colleague, Lauren, whose role was to support my sister through the breast screening process and, again, she received excellent support including visits to the house to help prepare her and then Lauren accompanied her each visit (four) to the Breast Screening clinic in the Glenanne Unit of Craigavon Area Hospital.

On behalf of my sister (the patient) and myself, I wish to express huge respect and appreciation for the professionalism, sensitivity and enthusiasm shown by Jayne and her colleague Lauren.

Our experience of the Learning Disability Services' support has made a huge difference to how my sister has accessed, and will in the future access, the services she needs to meet her health needs.

Some of what she went through this year would not have happened without this support, for example the endoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy, so I hope this essential service continues to be available to adults with learning disabilities in the future. It makes such a great difference.

Thank You!