Wellbeing Report 2024 v.02 (1) - Flipbook - Page 10
Health factors
27%
45%
28%
Pain
Long term conditions
Multiple health conditions
44% of incidents tracked had specific pain or health
conditions that underpinned behaviour of concern.
This has also been impacted by longer waiting lists,
lack of reasonable adjustments and being less able
to describe symptoms to health and social care
professionals.
The difficulty understanding and being able to make
changes to lifestyle also increases frustration and
stress for this group of people. This domain was
relevant to all types of behaviour.
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An example of this is one person with severe learning
disability and Angelman’s syndrome, whose behaviour
changed in Winter 2023. The staff immediately noticed
that this person appeared more distressed, had periods
of confusion and was no longer enjoying previously
loved activities. The staff supported the person to
the GP, but it took many months to arrange some
blood tests to be taken whilst she was under general
anaesthetic having a dental check-up. These blood tests
revealed extremely high levels of prolactin and it was
assumed that the person had prolactinoma. In Winter
2024 she is still waiting for an MRI test to confirm this
diagnosis and continues to be distressed unless she has
high levels of pain medication.
During 2023-2024 a full health audit was completed
for the complex care cohort. This showed that people
with Complex Needs have a range of additional health
concerns, significantly above the general population, and
notably above autistic people and people with learning
disabilities with lower levels of need. This is a concern
because this group also have specific challenges with
accessing healthcare and living healthy lifestyles.
In 2024-2025 there will be a
continued focus on improving
healthy lifestyles for the complex
care cohort.
