Health Stars are proud to be supporting a Learning Disability Cancer Screening Programme by funding specialist tools that make cancer awareness and screening more accessible for patients.
Patients with learning disabilities are less likely to attend or take up appointments for vital health checks, such as cancer screening, putting them at greater risk of poor health and negative outcomes.
Thanks to charitable donations, we have funded a weighted blanket, which helps patients feel calm and comfortable before their annual cancer health check review. We have also provided an anatomy cervical screening kit, a hands-on resource that allows patients to see exactly what happens during a cervical screening. This helps reduce anxiety and builds confidence ahead of appointments. In addition, a breast model has been purchased to teach patients how to check their breasts and understand what changes to look out for. Together, these resources are breaking down barriers and helping people with learning disabilities engage with vital health checks.
Anna is an Expert by Experience for the programme. She said “I have never been able to see what happens when I have my cervical smear. You can see videos, but they can be to overwhelming - it’s always been a worry. When I was shown how it is done, I felt so much better and less stressed. I felt more comfortable and confident”
Sophie Riley, Specialist Cancer Screening Project Nurse, said: “Anna also didn’t know how to check her breasts until we went thought the process using the models. She now is an advocate for checking breasts.
This work is part of a wider initiative, following Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust’s success in securing one of the first ever Cancer Innovation Grants from the Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, in partnership with NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Bridlington Primary Care Network (PCN). The grant had funded specialist nursing and expert-by-experience roles, with a particular focus on Bridlington and Goole
Health Stars are delighted to play a key role in supporting this important programme.
