A team of speech and language therapists from Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s Community Learning Disability Directorate has been shortlisted in the HSJ and Nursing Times Patient Safety Awards 2010.
The short listing, from more than 400 entries, is in the Education and Training in
Patient Safety Category of the awards for the team’s work in promoting safe and enjoyable eating and drinking for people with learning disabilities and Dysphagia in Nottinghamshire.
Dysphagia is a medical term that is used to refer to difficulties with chewing and/or swallowing. Some people with Dysphagia have problems coping with certain foods or liquids, while others are completely unable to swallow.
The acclaimed work includes ‘safe and enjoyable eating and drinking’ workshops, which over 300 social care and health staff attended. A new network has also been established to provide further learning and development opportunities. As a result, staff are now better able to identify risks and timely referrals to the Dysphagia service have doubled.
Highly accessible mealtime resources are now standard, including personalised placemats, eating and drinking guidelines and nine practical leaflets covering topics associated with Dysphagia and learning disabilities.
Felicity Court, Lead Speech and Language Therapist said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted. This will highlight the risks and importance of safe practice in this area.”
The next stage of judging takes place later this month with a 20 minute presentation to a panel of experts detailing the rationale behind the project, how it was implemented, the outcomes and its future development. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 5 February 2010.
