Thread by @GillianRudd, Privileged to listen to Paula McGowan @PaulaMc007 tell #OliversStory today at @mybcu. [...]

Privileged to listen to Paula McGowan @PaulaMc007 tell #OliversStory today at @mybcu. Many thanks to Katie Meah from our LD Nursing team for organising.

Paula @PaulaMc007 begins her talk by telling us about Oliver& #39;s life and achievements.
"His courage and enthusiasm was absolutely inspirational."
"Oliver loved life and life certainly seemed to love Oliver."
#OliversStory

Paula McGowan @PaulaMc007 shares Oliver& #39;s first experience of receiving anti-psychotics. Doctors and nurses did not explain what these were for or listen to his family when they shared their concerns about the impact they were having on his behaviour and wellbeing. #OliversStory

Oliver was given anti-psychotic medication on a second hospital admission, despite his sensitivity to this being documented. He had a 6 hour reaction without treatment - this would never have happened to someone without autism / learning disability. @PaulaMc007 #OliversStory

Oliver described his seizures as "thousands of wasps going round inside my head". He described the pressure of managing these and going about his everyday life, achieving what he wanted to in life, during discussions with his mum.
@PaulaMc007 telling #OliversStory

Transition from children& #39;s services to adult services was traumatic. There was a lack of respect and dignity, e.g. he was suddenly no longer allowed to independently able to manage his personal care. He shared how frightened and worried he was with @PaulaMc007. #OliversStory

When specialist staff saw Oliver, they reduced use of anti-psychotic medication and said that the placement in a psychiatric hospital was completely inappropriate. Specialist staff were able to make reasonable adjustments in order to better meet Oliver& #39;s needs. #OliversStory

Paula reminds everyone in the room that we all have a duty to be aware of the needs of individuals with autism and to make reasonable adjustments as outlined in the Autism Act (2009).
@PaulaMc007 telling #OliversStory
Read more about the Act here --> http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/15/contents">https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/200...

During Oliver& #39;s next hospital visit, his family worked hard to share information in advance but this was difficult. When they handed over his communication passport, it was put in a drawer.
#OliversStory @PaulaMc007

Despite explicit guidance to reduce sedation only when his family were there, the medical team chose to do this when he had no loved ones present. Why did they do this? Clearly not for Oliver& #39;s benefit.
@PaulaMc007 telling #OliversStory

Throughout many interactions with the medical team, there was a constant pattern of them failing to listen to Oliver and his family, and Oliver suffering as a result. His views were disregarded. Would this happen to others?
@PaulaMc007 #OliversCampaign

Paula said at the very beginning of her talk that this is not a story about blame - this is a story told to create and share learning. I can only imagine the phenomenal strength it takes to hold that perspective despite the experiences Oliver had. @PaulaMc007 #OliversCampaign

Paula @PaulaMc007 asks the room how many have heard about STAMP and/or STOMP. Few people raise their hand - Paula explains that this is representative of the feedback during other talks. Is the initiative working @DHSCgovuk @MattHancock ? #OliversCampaign https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/improving-health/stomp/">https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-...

Paula @PaulaMc007 asks everyone to remember that people who have autism and/or learning disability are PEOPLE. They deserve respect, dignity and individualised treatment - as we all do.
#OliversCampaign

Paula @PaulaMc007 discusses what & #39;reasonable adjustments& #39; means.What we can do for EVERYONE is:
- Get on the same level as them
- Avoid using jargon / complex language
- Provide examples
If we don& #39;t do these things, it& #39;s actually our behaviour that& #39;s challenging.
#OliversCampaign

Paula finishes by praising the autistic community, who have given her strength and generously shared their learning and experiences (a video that includes some of these experiences is shared with the room). @PaulaMc007 #OliversCampaign

Paula also shares a video of Caroline Dinenage @cj_dinenage explaining the new mandatory training that will be offered to NHS staff / social care workers to support better care for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
@PaulaMc007 #OliversCampaign

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