Paid and unpaid carers: their role in and satisfaction with primary health care for people with learning disabilities

Abstract

To a large extent the health care needs of people with learning disabilities living in the community have been neglected by policy makers, purchasers and providers. One result is that the role of carers, paid and unpaid, in monitoring and promoting health has been ignored. This article reports on interviews with carers and is drawn from a study which examined the delivery of primary health care to people with learning disabilities. A range of topics was covered during interview including: carers’ perceptions of their role, contact with and assessment of general practitioners’(GPs’) skills, difficulties experienced during consultations, views about medication, health promotion and health screening. Results indicated that insufficient attention is paid to the needs of people with learning disabilities in respect of health promotion, health screening and regular hearing and sight tests. Whilst generally satisfied with the care provided by GPs, carers made many suggestions about how to improve the standard of care offered. Suggestions for supporting paid and unpaid carers in order to fulfil their role are made. The need for joint strategies at the operational level and strategic level is also discussed.