Page 12 - SEN113 SEN Magazine July-August 2021-V3

12 Annual Health Checks ahead of schedule Three quarters of people with a learning disability aged 14 and over have received an annual health check two years ahead of an NHS Long Term Plan target. People with a learning disability who often find it difficult to spot or communicate symptoms can get a full health MOT from their GP who can quickly diagnose and treat any health problems such as cancer, constipation, or cardiac disease before they escalate. The NHS Long Term Plan set an ambition that by 2023/24, at least 75% of people aged 14 and over on the learning disability register receive an annual health check, in a drive to tackle health inequalities for people with a learning disability. The latest data shows that the NHS has already hit this target two years ahead of time and at the same time as treating hundreds of thousands of patients with COVID-19, as 74% of eligible people with a learning disability over the age of 14 received an annual health check, following concerted efforts by GPs to support the most vulnerable in our communities. 20,000 taking valproate to be contacted in bid to avoid pregnancy complications Around 20,000 women and girls taking sodium valproate are to receive advice about the risks of taking the drug in pregnancy, the NHS has announced. The anti-epilepsy drug sodium valproate has been linked to physical malformations, autism and developmental delay among some children when it is taken by their mothers during pregnancy. Meanwhile a data registry has been established to better track sodium valproate prescriptions to women with epilepsy. The letter, from the NHS director of patient safety Dr Aidan Fowler, will urge those with an active prescription to continue their treatment course until their doctor tells them otherwise. join us on facebook.com/senmagazine follow us on twitter.com/senmagazine New NHS Chair appointed The NHS has appointed former Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield OBE to help transform the care of children and young people with a learning disability and autism. As the new independent chair of the Learning Disability and Autism Children and Young People’s Steering Group, Anne will champion the rights of children and young people to ensure they get the support they need at the right time and work closely with the Ministerial led ‘Building the Right Support Board’. Claire Murdoch, National Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism welcomed the appointment and said: “Anne has shown remarkable commitment and dedication to improving the lives of children and young people and is ideally placed to continue this work, ensuring the needs of this vitally important group are highlighted and prioritised so their outcomes are improved.” Anne has over 30 years’ experience working in the children’s sector and recently ended her six-year tenure as the Children’s Commissioner for England. She has also spent time in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit at the Cabinet Office developing and shaping the agenda for children and families. Anne Longfield OBE said: “This is a time of change and my role will be to ensure that priorities for children and young people are understood and addressed. “I hope that together we will make real progress and difference to the lives of children and young people with a learning disability and autism and their families.” Anne will also continue to oversee the work of the taskforce for children and young People’s mental health, learning disability and autism inpatient services, as chair of the Independent Oversight Board. The taskforce is driving forward a programme of measures to improve the quality of inpatient services. Anne takes over from Jane Ramsey, chair for the past four years, who stepped down in December. nasen begins search for new CEO nasen (the National Association for Special Educational Needs) is seeking a new CEO. Professor Adam Boddison, who has been CEO at nasen for the last six years, is stepping down, nasen’s Board of Trustees has appointed Saxton Bamfylde to exclusively manage the search for a new Chief Executive at an exciting time in the organisation’s development. The charity has seen significant UK and international growth by broadening its support for the sector with new services and resources. nasen’s vision is for the educational experience for learners with SEND to be consistently as good as it is for learners without SEND (equity for all). For further information, or to find out more about nasen’s free membership community, visit nasen.org.uk. SEN113 senmagazine.co.uk SEN news