What is a CTR/CETR?

If you or somebody you know has been in a secure hospital because of a learning disability or autism you may have heard about CTRs or CETRs.

CTRs are 'Care and Treatment Reviews' and are for adults. CETRs are Care Education and Treatment Reviews' and are for children.  Both reviews aim to bring together the people involved in a persons' care if they are in a secure hospital or if they are at risk of going into a secure hospital.  The review helps to decide what is the right support that a person will need.  Everyone should be offered a review at regular intervals during the year but they also have the right to refuse to have a review.

More information on CTRs/CETRs can be found on the NHS England website, which includes lots of useful booklets and videos.

The smallest things can make a difference One mother was left in (happy) tears after taking her 11 year old autistic son shoe shopping – an often dreaded exercise – but this time it was different. Her son tried on a pair of shoes that had velcro fastening, no extra textures and soft insoles.  He promptly started running around the store jumping and smiling.  It might not work for every child but it's sometimes the simplest things that make a big difference.

“What will happen when I’m no longer around?”

Oxfordshire Family Support Network teamed up with Age UK Oxfordshire to produce a very powerful video which focusses on ‘the biggest fear for carers or family members with a learning disability child’.  What will happen to them when they are no longer around to provide support.  

In the video families share their very candid concerns for the future of their loved ones and how they want them to be supported when they are not around to speak up for them.  A good message for everyone working to transforming care for people with learning disabilities, autism or both.

In this issue:

• What is a CTR/CETR?
• The smallest things can make a difference
• "What will happen when I am no longer around?"
• Breast screening awareness
• Autism service

Breast screening awareness campaign – October 2017

During October a breast screening awareness campaign ran in conjunction with breast cancer awareness month.

The campaign was needed as women with a learning disability are far less likely than other women to attend for breast screening.  This might be because they do not understand why they should be screened, the invitation itself or they are afraid of the screening process.  

Whatever the reason, we want to try and help address this by raising awareness and ultimately the number of women with learning disabilities who take of the test.

Services for people with autism

We are working to improve services for people who have a diagnosis of autism in Kent and Medway as part of the Transforming Care programme. We have been awarded a grant by NHS England to develop a Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) that will provide a range of support for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

We are currently sourcing providers to deliver this service and we will provide more details in the next newsletter including information on how to access the service and when it will be open.