Jean Willson: Well, Victoria was 40 last summer.
She is the most wonderful woman you could ever imagine
She speaks with her eyes and eyebrows.
She has a rare condition called tuberosclerosis which means she has epilepsy
kidneys failing, she has a whole range of serious health conditions.
But she still manages to get through life sometimes with a laugh.
Because she is a woman without words she can't tell us but we look at her body language,
and it's telling us I feel pretty ropey today.
Her staff team have become good detectives in picking up those little nuances
that means this woman is not well.
Because Victoria has a learning disability and very complex needs,
some health professionals may perceive her as not a valued human being
and would not offer her the life chances that you or I would enjoy.
I'm talking about resuscitation, I'm talking about a simple blood test.
One of the most vital tools we find now, alongside the health action plan, is the hospital passport.
In Victoria's health passport is the vital information you need running out the door to the ambulance.
All her medication that she takes, emergencies that she's had before
and what were the triggers, and what were the solutions.
We bring it up to date every 3 or 4 months, and it's very cost effective in terms of Victoria's health
because it's up to the minute information, very cost effective for any health professional because it's all done
for them, it's like an immediate care plan when she goes into the ward.
A classic example is when we wanted her to have dental treatment
and she needed to be anaesthetised so we went armed with her hospital passport
and we spoke very carefully to the dentist and with the anaesthetist, they could see
what happened before, what were some of the difficulties and what were the solutions.
And having read that and questioned us a little bit more, they made
the decision they were prepared for her to have the treatment.
Sometimes you need a lot of help when people really are not listening.
And if they really, don't listen then I seek out these specialist people who come in and really help you.
Robin Potts: A big part of a learning disability nurse role is essentially to work with families and carers.
Just to make sure that throughout the person's stay in the hospital
that they receive the same standard of healthcare as everybody else.
Health passports are really valuable tools for people with learning disabilities.
They give the health professional a kind of one stop shop information package
about that person's health needs. I think it is essential that the hospital
recognise the importance of this tool so they can actually feel they are part of this process
and as much as possible for them to contribute to it as well.
Jean: The impact and the value of having a hospital passport for Victoria
is in some cases it has saved her life. It certainly aided making decisions
It's caused us less stress, it's helped prepare and make the support workers
feel confident and it's very cost effective for the health professionals.
Very cost effective