29 May 2009

Invasive procedures can help break down barriers

Ways of breaking down the barriers faced by people with profound disabilities will be discussed at a conference hosted by a University of Dundee organisation next month.

PAMIS is a voluntary organisation that works with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, their family carers and professionals who support them throughout Scotland.

They are hosting their conference, ‘Invasive Procedures: Breaking barriers and achieving control for people with profound & complex disabilities’, at the West Park Conference Centre on Thursday, June 11 from 9am onwards.

Invasive Procedures is a PAMIS research project looking at the way people with such complex medical needs receive what are often life-saving procedures. The one year project funded by the Scottish Government will conclude in March 2010.

At present there are no definite policy guidelines in place in Scotland, and even the definition of what should and should not be classed as an invasive procedure differs between different local authorities.

Loretto Lambe, Director of PAMIS, said, 'The term 'invasive' can lend itself to many different medical procedures and there can be a degree of subjectivity around what is meant by an 'invasive procedure'.'

'Consequently, the delivery of invasive procedures for people in Scotland who have profound and complex learning disabilities (PMLD) is not consistent. This can have a negative effect on their quality of life.'

'By identifying examples of good practice in care and educational settings we hope to develop procedures, policies and training that will facilitate more uniform and improved services across Scotland. This can only have a beneficial outcome for those with profound complex disabilities, professionals and family carers.'

The research project aims to discover:

• what constitutes an invasive procedure;
• what barriers that prevent practitioners and carers from carrying out invasive procedures currently exist;
• what type of education, practical experience and competence is necessary to carry out invasive procedures; and
• models of good practice in which effective invasive healthcare procedures are provided, enabling individuals to lead a full and safe life.

The project will report directly to Shona Robison MSP Minister for Public Health and Sport.

Dr Jane McCarthy, President of the Royal Society of Medicine Forum on Intellectual Disability, will chair the Invasive Procedures Conference. Discussion will contribute to the development of planned expert consensus guidelines on invasive procedures across Scotland.

Family and paid carers/professionals working in the learning disability field including professionals from the NHS, local authority services, education providers, trade unions, residential service providers, respite services and advocacy services from across Scotland will attend the event.

Family and paid carers/professionals working in the learning disability field, including those from the NHS, local authority services, education providers, trade unions, residential service providers, respite services and advocacy services from across Scotland will attend the event.

Delegates will hear from a number of keynote speakers, who will discuss several issues including the human rights of people with profound intellectual disabilities, a family’s experience of invasive procedures and staff training needs.

Speakers lined up for the conference include:

• Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport.
• Professor Chris Cullen, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Keele University and Director of Psychological Services in North Staffordshire.
• Professor Barry Carpenter OBE Director (SEN), Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.
• Dr Michael Brown, Nurse Consultant, NHS Lothian.
• Dr Douglas Paterson Consultant in Psychiatry of Learning Disability NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
• Jenny Whinnett Family Carer and PAMIS Coordinator Grampian.
• Jean Maclellan, Division Head, Adult Care and Support Division, Scottish Executive.

Anyone interested in attending the conference should contact PAMIS on 01382 385154 or email pamis@dundee.ac.uk for further information.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk