There is evidence that blood tests are one aspect of the annual health check that can cause anxiety for people with learning disabilities.

blood tests are important for monitoring the efficacy and side-effects of some medication – this includes anti-epileptic drugs, which are more likely to be prescribed to people with learning disabilitiesĪ literature search identified minimal relevant research.

problems with diagnosis and treatment were the most common reasons for premature deaths – blood tests are often a vital part of diagnostic investigations and can support a treatment pathway.

( CIPOLD) that highlight the importance of timely blood tests for people with learning disabilities:

There are a number of findings from the Confidential Inquiry into the Deaths of People with Learning Disability Blood tests for people with learning disabilities Why is this an important issue? There is also a separate selection of case studies and examples of reasonable adjustments made to support people with learning disabilities in tolerating blood tests available online. The guidance describes the online resources we found and where you can access them. We asked people to send us information about what they have done to support people with learning disabilities to have blood tests that they need.ĭespite there being good reasons for many people with learning disabilities to be afraid of needles, such as past experiences of forcible administration of sedatives, there is little relevant research or policy. We put a request out through the UK Health and Learning Disability Network, a major email network for people interested in services and care for people with learning disabilities. We looked at websites to find resources that might be of use for people with learning disabilities who need a blood test but are very anxious about this. We searched for policy and guidelines that relate to people with learning disabilities needing blood tests. This guidance shares information, ideas and good practiceabout the provision of reasonable adjustments for blood tests for people with learning disabilities

Under the Equalities Act 2010, public sector organisations have to make changes in their approach or provision to ensure that services are accessible to disabled people as well as everybody else. It may also be of use to paid social care or health staff and family members when they are supporting someone to have a blood test. This guidance is to help health professionals who need to take blood from someone with learning disabilities.

Pclp for needle desensitisation