Over 50 adults with learning disabilities attended an event at Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre to visit a range of information stalls on health services available to them in Sefton.

The Cheshire and Merseyside Screening and Immunisation team at Public Health England (PHE) organised the event in partnership with the Sefton learning disabilities team in Merseycare, People First, NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG.

Wendy Storey, screening and immunisation co-ordinator from Public Health England said: “As people with a learning disability frequently experience difficulties in understanding and accessing health services, the event gave them, their carers’ and families a chance to get information in a way that met their needs. Easy read leaflets were available from most health provider information stalls. Some branded items were given out to remind people of the services they can access in Sefton.

“As attendance rates were quite low, we organised the event initially to encourage people to attend breast, bowel and cervical screening but also to raise awareness of the amount of help available to them locally. The event was opened up to other health programmes as it was an ideal opportunity to share important information and offer support”

Jane Tosi and Claire Campbell in the medicines management team at the CCGs had a stand at the event and Jane said: “We had some examples on display of aids that are available to help people with learning disabilities take their medication at the right time, such as talking clocks, watches and talking labels.”

Claire said: “It is important that all people with a learning disability have access to information that is easily accessible and appropriate to help them take their medication correctly so hopefully the event helped with that. Some people at the event were not aware of the different types of aids available when we showed them so hopefully it has made a difference and helped some carers and family members too.”

Other stalls on the day offered eye tests, advice on dental care, sexual health, immunisations, exercise, non-cancer screening programmes and healthy eating. Each stall holder made adjustments to communication methods to share information.

For more information please visit: www.merseycare.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-of-services/learning-disability-community-teams