Ask Listen Do – what every service should do

Last week Gary Bourlet went to a big meeting about Ask Listen Do on behalf of Learning Disability England and our members. This is his blog on Ask Listen Do and why it matters

This a group of partners coming together. Working to improve NHS, Social Care and education.

It is about making feedback, and complaints easier for children, and adults with a learning disability, autistic people and their families and carers.

This started because people with learning disabilities and autism find it difficult to complain about the service they receive and do not report it.

So, it’s important that services can give a one to one approach.

Last week I was lucky to be part of an event about this at the House of Lords. It included lunch and strawberries and cream, but we did work too. There is no such thing as a free lunch

We had speeches from Baroness Sheila Hollins, poetry from Julia Newcombe and there were others – it was all about us making sure people do something to change things

Please listen to Julie read her brilliant poem here

Over the next few weeks it is important that spread #AskListenDo

There are a lot of resources at on the NHS England website here

We at Learning Disability England want to sure members of all kinds know about and can use Ask Listen Do whoever they are

These are my personal thoughts about Ask, Listen, Do

It’s about culture, disability culture, respect and dignity. Also, not forgetting People from BME groups who have learning disabilities and/or Autism. We must not forget people with learning disabilities and/or autism who live in rural and coastal areas as well as urban areas.

It’s about life in general, getting it right for all people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

The things I think matter are

  • Better Health,
  • Better Social Care,
  • Better dentistry that cope with emergencies,
  • GP surgeries when we need them,
  • Better support from chemists,

These are as important for good health as housing, the community we live in, accessibility, Good transport, accessible to all types of advocacy. A good social life, friendships and most of all relationships will help. Loneliness is a killer.

It’s important to give everyone the help and support they need

Yes, I am asking for a lot. This is important every service Ask what is important, Listens and then does something.

Last week we agreed that Learning Disability England will support this and help members use it as a person being supported or as a service provider.

So far, the following national organisations have pledged to be partners for Ask Listen Do:

  • NHS England and NHS Improvement
  • Local Government Association
  • Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
  • Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
  • Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
  • Department for Education
  • Department of Health and Social Care
  • Care Quality Commission
  • Ofsted
  • Health Education England
  • Nursing Midwifery Council