Private health care for people with learning disabilities

[KateD]

Continuing the discussion from About the Health category:

[KateD]

Hi - I am wondering if anyone has experience of organising private health care (e.g. BUPA) for family members living in care homes without medically qualified staff on site? Some individuals living at my son’s home do have such arrangements. Would it make much difference? If so, has anyone got any recommendations? Thanks

[SarahL]

[margaret.gould]

Hi @KateD

I’m one of the information and advice officers from the learning disability helpline. This is quite an unusual request and not one that we could make any recommendations on. Can you talk to the other families about why they have chosen this option?

Here are some points you might want to consider:

• What would be the reason for the additional medical cover?
• What is already in the care and support plan?
• Speak to the social worker about any charging implications
• Talk to the service manager
• Remember that medical notes may not automatically be shared between private health professionals and NHS staff

Best wishes,

Margaret

[charlie1]

Hello KateD
I worked as a District Nurse and not often but I occasionally visited houses/homes where several Learning Disabled adults were living to give care when needed and also sometimes to teach staff/carers how to give help in certain situations. Distict nurses and community nurses will visit care/residential homes because regulations state that homes do not need a registered nurse.District nurses do not usually visit nursing homes because there are registered nurses working.I have visited nursing homes for assessments and to teach unusual procedures where skills were needed.
Why would you need BUPA when NHS can be so good?.The NHS also have specialist nurses for learning disabled who have liased and given support to myself and staff in Care homes.
PS my own son has private dental care because the dentist chose to go privately but also had a daughter with Downs Syndrome.We followed him when he went private and he is sooo good.
Some times private health can supplement NHS in some situations

[KateD]

Hi
Thanks for that very useful reply. I suspect the level of service varies from area to area but I think you’re right in that BUPA is probably not necessary. The local hospital has a learning disability nurse who has been helpful in the past for both planned and unplanned admissions. Seeing consultants privately can reduce the stress caused by clinic waiting times- very important when challenging behaviour is involved.

[charlie1]

Hi
Sometimes consultants in private domain also have NHS patients and it may be worth asking especially if treatment privately is costly unless funding is not a problem.Phoning the secretary or writing to consultant explaining situation and asking for a first appointment(first in the queue) or maybe there might be a private empty office if stress/anxiety may be a problem.
Good luck.