Health Action Planning

Kathryn Joseph & Sharon Wood

Strategic Health Facilitators

Telephone: 01604 678135

Health Action Plans

In 2001 the government brought out a report

called ‘Valuing People: A new strategy for learning

disabilities for the 21st century’.

The report made recommendations to improve the

lives of people with learning disabilities in the

following areas:

Education, social services, housing, health,

housing, employment & supporting carers

Health Action Plans

In the report ‘Valuing People’ the

government said each person with a

learning disability should be offered a

Health Action Plan by June 2005

Where are we now?

‘Valuing People Now’ (2008)- People with learning disabilities continue to have poorer health than the general population

- The targets and objectives for Health Action Planning were not achieved

Northants Evaluation of Health Action Planning- People were not involved in the planning of their own health- Plans were not being used or kept updated- Doctors surgeries were not aware of the Plans

Functions of Health Action Plans

Health Action Plan

Belongs to the person

Person centred

Accessible

Identifies health needs

Lists actions needed

Identifies support needed

Provides links to a range of other services

Provides links to GP, primary care & other health services

Coordinates services

Influences services

Educates & informs

Integral part of PCP & other plans

Most important are in shaded

boxes

Health Action Plans

Along with Person Centred Planning, Health Action Plans are particularly important at key stages in people’s lives:

Transition from child to adult services Leaving home Moving from one provider to another Changes in health status On retirement When planning transition for those living with older

carers

What should be in a HAP

Identified health needs or issues

What actions are needed to maintain health

What actions are needed to improve health

Who will help ensure these actions take place (especially if this is someone other than the health facilitator)

Timescales for various actions and when there will be a follow up or a review.

Integrating PCP and HAP

Health Action Planning should be part of the Person Centred Planning process

If people do not have good health then their rights, choices, independence and inclusion will be compromised

A Person Centred Plan must address any important health & safety issues

Integrating PCP and HAP

Things you might need to ask when facilitating people’s Person Centred Plans:

What's important to the person to keep them healthy and safe?

What’s important for the person to keep them healthy and safe?

What do other people need to know or do if the person is to keep healthy and safe?

The health needs of people with learning disabilities

More likely than the general population:

To die of respiratory disease

To die from gastrointestinal cancer

To develop dementia

To develop schizophrenia

To develop coronary heart disease

The health needs of people with learning disabilities

More likely to be obese or under weight

80% of people engage in levels of activity below the recommended levels

Higher incidence of physical & sensory disabilities

Less likely to undergo a cervical screening test

Less likely to undergo breast screening

Health checks

Well person checks at the doctors surgery

Screening (breast, cervical and bowel)

Long term conditions such as diabetes, people should be having checks at their surgery

Mental health - annual health check by the surgery

Annual health checks for people with moderate to severe learning disabilities introduced October 08

‘The Health Check and Health Action Plan Booklet’

Barriers to accessing healthcare & achieving good health

Communication

Low expectation

Poor physical access

Lack of accessible

information

Fear of health

professionals

Lack of time

Physical environment

Poor information from

carers

Poor support

Lack of education

Lack of preparation

Additional needs e.g.

Autism

Health Facilitation

Strategic level

Specialist level

Individual level

Varying levels of support to the person

Everyone's role is to:• Put person at the centre• Ensure health & wellbeing• Ensure equal access

Strategic level

Specialist level

Individual level

- Service development work- Informing planning & commissioning

A health professional who provides advice, guidance, support or treatment usually on a short term basis in partnership with patient & their Health Facilitator. May support or contribute to the HAP

Focus on individual work and health outcomes. A support worker, advocate, friend, or family carer could fulfil the role at this level. The person should choose who they want as their Health Facilitator

The individual level

Role and responsibilities:

Support the person to understand HAP

Supporting the person to develop a HAP

Helping to identify and record health needs on the HAP

Supporting the person to access services

The individual level

Role and responsibilities:

Ensure that the HAP is an integral part of the person’s PCP and other plans

Helping to identify and meet health education needs

Supporting the person to review the HAP and make sure the actions happened

Supporting the person to raise concerns

Useful references and links

www.valuingpeople.gov.uk

Click on ‘resources’, click on ‘health’ and then click on ‘Health Action Planning’ at the top of the page

Department of Health, (2002). Action for Health: Health Action Plans and Health Facilitation - Detailed Good Practice Guidance on Implementation for Learning Disability Partnership Boards. London: Department of Health

Department of Health, (2002). Health Action Plans – What are they? Where do you get one? (A booklet for people with learning disabilities) London: Department of Health