Taking action to reduce health inequalities for people with a learning disability and autistic people during World Autism Acceptance Week

Work is underway to reduce health inequalities for people with a learning disability and autistic people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes this World Autism Acceptance Week (27 March to 2 April 2023).

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) is engaging with people with a learning disability and autistic people to gather valuable insight into the challenges they face when accessing local health and care services.

Insights gathered via the sessions will be used to develop a comprehensive and inclusive strategy that meets the needs of autistic people and people with a learning disability across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

The Mental Health and Learning Disability Commissioning Team have already facilitated one session to understand the experiences of local people, with further sessions to take place over the coming weeks.

The first session took place at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone in Milton Keynes with support from Simon Steed from Talkback, a local voluntary organisation that supports autistic people and people with learning disabilities.

Kaysie Conroy, Senior Commissioning Manager for Learning Disabilities and Autism at BLMK ICB, said: “We received a warm welcome at our first engagement session in Milton Keynes, and we were fortunate to spend time with such a passionate group of individuals, who were eager to share their experiences with us.

“Their insights will help us to shape our strategy for ensuring that autistic people and people with a learning disability have equal access to healthcare services in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.”

Further sessions will take place in Bedford and Luton in April 2023.

Find out more about learning disabilities and autism at www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities