More details about the campaign

Launched in 2018, Dimensions My GP and Me campaign is helping to influence and train people who can make healthcare more inclusive and accessible for autistic people and people with learning disabilities. We have developed elearning that is free for all practice staff to take and worked with GP practices across the country to train their staff…

Why is this so important?

Our research found that almost a third of people with learning disabilities or autism feel less likely to be treated with care and concern at the doctors and just 53% of people with a learning disability or autism rated the service they get from their GP positively, compared to 85% of the general population (GP Patient Survey, NHS England, 2017).

We think it is unfair that people with learning disabilities are five times more likely to end up in hospital for preventable issues that can be treated by their GP (EHRC) and that men with learning disabilities live up to 23 years less than the general population, and women with learning disabilities live up to 29 years less (hqip.uk).

Preventable health issues, such as constipation, are killing people instead of being treated before it gets dangerous, and psychotropic medication that is being inappropriately prescribed to as many as 35,000 people with learning disabilities and autism (NHS STOMP) is masking symptoms and reducing people’s ability to communicate.

Cancer screenings and vital blood tests aren’t taking place because reasonable adjustments and support to prepare for upsetting exams isn’t in place. GPs need to listen to their patients and their circles of support to help address the fact that 60% of people we asked said their doctors’ didn’t make reasonable adjustments for them and almost two thirds of of GPs identified communication issues between patients, support workers and GPs as an obstacle.

What has #MyGPandMe done so far?

We have trained practice staff across the country and 150 health and social care professionals completed our free elearning in its first 12 months since publication.

We have also lobbied policy makers by contributing to government consultations, supporting people to write to their MPs and advising on the upcoming mandatory training for GPs.

Our work with Assura PLC has supported the publication of both a research report into the accessibility of primary healthcare buildings and the proceeding toolkit available for practice staff to evaluate and improve disability, neurodiversity and dementia access.

Our colleagues have presented alongside people we support and experts by experience at conferences and events across the country and they have also driven the campaign from within the organisation.