Cardiff Health Alliance : Cynghrair Iechyd Caerdydd

• Development of a Joint Commissioning Strategy for Learning Disabilities (2005-08).
• Procurement and re-commissioning of Supported Living Services and Emergency Accommodation and Support Services.
• Development of a service specification for future requirements for respite and adult placement services and the implementation of a re-procurement process.
• Tender process for remaining elements of the Local Authority's learning disability services has been initiated and is scheduled for completion by March 2008 for Priority One projects and March 2009 for Priority Two projects.
• Development of a new performance management framework for contract monitoring.
• Successful Supporting People funding bids (2006/07) for the expansion of Adult Placement Service and Supported Living Schemes.
• Obtaining grant funding for a review officer to map and assess service users in 'Out of Area' placements with a view to commissioning services to repatriate those who intend to return to Cardiff.
• Implementation awareness & training which focuses on person centred planning across the sector.
• Nurse Consultant post established utilising Section 7 guidance funding.
• Provision of training sessions on the needs of individuals with a learning disability to all GPs in Cardiff.
• Commissioning of a GMS locally enhanced service for annual health checks for individuals with a learning disability.
• Review and mapping exercise of specialist health challenging behaviour services undertaken, contributing to the development of a strategic outline programme for the development of local services. This formed part of the submission to WAG in 2006 for support around the capital funding implications.
• Contribution of the LHB and the Local Authority in the development of an integrated care pathway for challenging behaviour (although this has not as yet been implemented in Cardiff).
• Supported the development of a new NVQ level training programme for people working with individuals with challenging behaviour by Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust.
• Implementation of the multi-agency transition protocol and internal guidance for individuals making the transition from children to adult services.
• PEARL Project-provided evidence base for continuing health care.

For people with a learning disability, many of whom will require a life long service; this strategy supports three key principles for planning, commissioning, delivery of services, and monitoring:

• people have the right to an ordinary pattern of life
• the right to be treated as an individual
• to have the provision of additional help and support so as to maximise potential.

People with learning disabilities have a range of needs directly arising from their impairment or condition, and in addition economic, environmental, health, or social barriers may also disproportionately affect them.

Therefore, the key strategic aims 2008-2011 are:

1. To enable people with learning disabilities to access a health service designed around their individual needs, with fast and convenient care delivered to a high standard and with additional support where necessary. This relates to both mainstream (primary, acute and preventative care) and specialist learning disability health services, e.g. annual health check for people with learning disabilities in Cardiff.
2. Challenge discrimination and promote positive images of people with a learning disability across Cardiff and conduct equality impact assessments on all areas of service provision. Commissioners will need to ensure that the impact and effectiveness of their commissioning specialist learning disability services is integral to Disability and Equality strategies and may need to carry out equality impact assessments in relation to disability, race, gender and other aspects. To ensure all information is accessible for people with a learning disability.
3. Supporting people to live within their own homes and communities wherever practicable, to promote health, independence and social inclusion.
4. Progressing the joint commissioning agenda for learning disabilities and developing a follow on strategy and action plan for 2008-11.
5. Integrating health and social care management, teams and services with intention to strengthen joint working through the 'new flexibilities' and promoting partnerships.
6. Ensuring people with a learning disability are at the centre of planning and participating in decisions and discussions that affect their lives.
7. Complete the re-commissioning process for learning disability services to achieve the expansion of Adult Placement Scheme, reconfiguration of respite services, reconfiguration of day services and specialist day service.
8. Implementing the health gain targets within the acute hospital services in Cardiff.
9. Remodelling and re-commissioning two existing Continuing Health Care community units to provide long stay care and respite for individuals with profound and multiple disability.
10. To consider and take forward the recommendations of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Strategic Action Plan for Wales.
11. Implement the Transition protocol and guidance for young people moving from Children's Services to Adult Services. To co-ordinate the action plan designed to address the service.
12. Safeguarding people with learning disabilities that are in need or deemed vulnerable.
13. Providing seamless and complimentary support from health and social care, housing, and related services.
14. Ensuring that services are responsive to need and are funded in a sustainable way.
15. Promoting access to lifelong learning, work opportunities, leisure and recreation.