The videos were created and co-produced by BLMK (Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes) Integrated Care Board, clinicians, autistic adults and those who have a Learning Disability, ELFT (East London Foundation Trust) and Autism Bedfordshire.
The Breaking Barriers Project is a set of video guides to help autistic people or those with a learning disability prepare for health appointments. There are some videos also aimed at professionals to help equip them with information about a range of different subject matters.
The videos can be used to support health promotion and prevention work, as well as to orientate people to tests or investigations they might need to undergo.
Autistic people and people with a learning disability were identified as a key group in the Denny Review, a pioneering report on health inequalities in the local area, led by Reverend Lloyd Denny, a well-respected faith and community leader from Luton.
The report, which included more than two thousand resident voices, outlined that some people face worse health outcomes than others, because they do not understand how health and care services work, or what will happen during routine appointments.
Using insights from interviews undertaken by local Healthwatch organisations and grassroots organisations in the voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector, a series of explainer videos have been developed to break down the barriers to good health for autistic people and other learning disabilities.
Felicity Cox, Chief Executive Officer of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said: “I congratulate Autism Bedfordshire for leading the way in responding to the recommendations outlined in the Denny Review and producing a series of videos which will really break down barriers for people accessing health and care.
“We know that people living with autism often need information presented in a different way and so it’s essential that we make it as easy as possible for everyone to access tests and screening which will help people access the help and care they need to lead long and healthy lives.”
Emma Reade, Chief Executive officer of Autism Bedfordshire, said: “We’ve been privileged to support autistic adults – as well as with their families, carers and friends – to produce films which meet their needs. Something like a blood test or a screening appointment can be a very daunting experience, so our guides will show people what to expect.
“This way of working – which is called co-production – is essential in a project like this, because it ensures that autistic people are always at the very centre of what we do and in control of their own healthcare experiences.”
You can find all the videos on Autism Bedfordshire's Breaking Barriers Page here.
The videos will also be available on BLMK Health Partnership's website here.