A LEARNING disabilities care unit in Lincoln has been recognised in a new national Department of Health report as a shining example of good practice.

Long Leys Court Assessment and Treatment Unit – part of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – has been recognised in the Government’s ‘Good Practice in Learning Disability Nursing’ report for the work staff and service users have put into a ‘Journey Map’.

This Journey Map helps to explain to service users, in pictorial form, their journey through the unit.

Service users were able to choose their mode of transport and design their vehicle. Staff painted the road and the buildings and used various methods to depict how someone can go through the unit in different ways.

For example, tractors may depict slower progress than sports cars, while a lay-by can show a career break for staff members.

Audrey Whelan, Matron/Manager of the Trust’s Learning Disability Service, said: “This initiative has enabled staff to talk to service users in a way in which they can easily understand. It also shows how everyone can progress along the journey, and beyond.

“Service users were very keen to be involved – something that is crucial to our way of working here at Long Leys Court.

"The Journey Map has helped to strengthen care in an inpatient setting – an area which requires great skill and sensitivity, especially in dealing therapeutically with sometimes difficult behaviour.”

The Journey Map was developed as part of the unit’s Practice Development Unit accreditation. This is a two year process of assessment against 15 set criteria that recognises that quality of service given to service users as well as the expertise of the staff team in the unit and their colleagues. A few months ago, the unit celebrated achieving Stage 2 success.