Dimensions responds to VODG’s Transforming Care assessment

Yesterday, The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group released an important practical assessment of the key barriers and enablers to Transforming Care, the NHS programme that aims to get more people out of long stay in-patient care and living close to home in their local community.

Commenting, Chief Executive of Dimensions CEO Steve Scown said:

“As the end of Transforming Care looms large, this report from VODG is a timely reminder that the job to support people out of long stay hospitals is still just beginning.

As a provider specialising in supporting people with complex needs to live independent lives in their local communities, Dimensions recognises many of the issues highlighted by VODG. In particular, we are pleased that the report is clear that each of the 27 people assessed would have been able to live independently were it not for systemic barriers.

Time and again, Dimensions has to persuade the professionals around a person that a better life outside of a long stay hospital is absolutely possible for them.

Even if an individual has a history of failed placements in the community, the failure is of the plan, not of the person. Challenging behaviour must be seen simply as how a person has learned to communicate that things are wrong. It is not an indivisible part of his or her personality. By starting from this point, by taking the time to get to know the person, and by employing suitable levels of professional support – in particular using positive behaviour support techniques – Dimensions consistently demonstrates that almost anyone can emerge successfully from long term stays in assessment and treatment units.

Our experience also shows that in the long term, living in a community setting is usually much cheaper than living in an Assessment and Treatment Unit. However, as the VODG report indicates, funding suitable levels of support at the outset is key. Everyone around the individual must have realistic expectations of the support needed initially. Get that right, and time and again we demonstrate that a person’s support needs can reduce significantly over time.

As yet there has been no indication from government as to what happens beyond March 2019, beyond the end of Transforming Care. I have an unsettling fear that the end of the programme will bring the end of targets and the end of any meaningful efforts to help people stuck in ATUs. I hope I’m wrong.”

 

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For more information, interviews, and case studies contact Alex Watson, Communications and PR Officer at Dimensions, on (e) alexander.watson@dimensions-uk.org (t) 0300 303 9062.

Dimensions provides evidence-based, outcomes-focused support for people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. We help people be actively involved in their communities.

We are one of the largest not-for-profit support providers in the UK and currently support around 3,500 people and their families throughout England and Wales with help from our 7,000 members of staff.

Dimensions have been providing support packages for families for 40 years. We offer a range of support services to adults of all ages, including those with complex needs or challenging behaviour.

We are proud to be a not-for-profit organisation, not here for commercial gain. This means we’re able to invest all our efforts and resources into the important things – which is helping the people we support lead happy and fulfilled lives.