Updated guidance on training healthcare staff from all CQC-registered professions to treat patients with learning disabilities or autism has been published.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism aims to help professionals deliver safer, more personalised care to patients with learning disabilities or autism. It is named after an 18-year-old with a mild learning disability who died from a reaction to medication given to him against his family’s wishes.
The new code of practice promotes understanding of the needs of affected groups and aims to ensure staff have the skills to care for them.
Paula and Tom McGowan, parents of Oliver McGowan, said: ‘The publication of the code of practice marks a deeply emotional and significant milestone for us and will ensure Oliver’s legacy will continue to make a difference by safeguarding people with a learning disability and autistic individuals from the same preventable failings that he tragically endured.’
Under the law, healthcare providers registered by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are required to ensure staff have appropriate training. The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice lays out the standards that providers are expected to meet these legal requirements and keep patients safe.
‘Appalling health inequalities’
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) stated that those with a learning disability or autism face poorer health outcomes than the general population. It said it is ‘crucial’ that healthcare staff have the right knowledge and skills to tackle these inequalities.
Minister of state for care Stephen Kinnock said: ‘I pay tribute to Paula McGowan OBE and Tom McGowan and their incredible campaign to improve the care of people with a learning disability and autistic people after the tragic death of their son, Oliver.
‘Through their work, they have shown admirable dedication, commitment and passion – Oliver’s memory and legacy lives through them.
‘This government recognises the appalling health inequalities faced by people with a learning disability and autistic people. Everyone deserves to receive high-quality, empathetic and dignified care but this cannot be achieved if staff do not have the right training. The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice published today will be a boost for anyone with a learning disability or autistic people, their families and loved ones.’
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Disability and autism care ‘not good enough’
Tom Cahill is national director for learning disability and autism at NHS England. He said: ‘We know that often the quality of care and support for people with a learning disability and autistic people has not been good enough and we are determined to make this better.
‘This code of practice – a result of Paula and Tom McGowan’s tireless dedication – will mean all NHS staff have the training and support they need to reduce inequalities and give people with a learning disability or autistic people the care they deserve.’
Rebecca Bushell-Bauers is director for people with a learning disability and autistic people at the CQC. She said: ‘Today highlights Paula and Tom McGowan’s tireless campaigning in their son’s name for better care for autistic people and people with a learning disability.
‘We are dedicated to advocating for and improving the health and care outcomes for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. The code of practice will further support us in assessing and inspecting whether health and social care providers are training their carers and staff to support autistic people and people with a learning disability appropriately and hold them to account to ensure they are delivering good, informed and safe care.’
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