Better Health, Better Metrics

For this project, we worked with a number of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) that wished to address the health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities, using the NHS scheme  'Better Metrics'. We also worked with PCTs' partner organisations.

The NHS 'Better Metrics' scheme developed clinically relevant measures of performance that can be used as part of local service quality improvement. The scheme included 12 'metrics' on health equity and access for people with learning disabilities. The 'metrics' are being used as part of local responses to 'National Standards, Local Action' (Department of Health, 2004) and as part of Local Public Service Agreements. More information about Better Metrics

• What we did

• Project meetings

• Evaluation of the project

• Three case studies

• A note on commissioning Primary Health Services

• Primary Care Service Framework for the Management of Health for People with Learning Disabilities

What we did 

The PCTs and services we worked with covered a mix of urban and rural areas and ethnically diverse populations. Each site chose a few of the 'metrics' to work on. Between all the sites, the full set of learning disability 'metrics' have been tested.

We supported the project sites through:

• helping local leaders to enthuse and enlist allies

• facilitating meetings and maintaining momentum

• sharing learning and ideas across the sites

• supporting the development of local tools and adaptation of national materials

• evaluating progress and advising on national changes required.

The focused work with sites was completed in 2006 and from this we have written a note on commissioning primary health services that are inclusive of people with learning disabilities.

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Project meetings

Representatives from all the areas taking part in the project came together for meetings in November 2005, March 2006 and June 2006.

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Evaluation of the project

The experiences of the sites taking part in the project highlighted a number of key issues for the implementation of the learning disabilities metrics and the wider 'Better Metrics' programme. 

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3 case studies

Here are 3 case studies of services who have used Better Health, Better Metrics to evaluate their services:

• Teeside Story

• Barnet Story

• Peterborough Story

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A note on commissioning Primary Health Services that are inclusive of people with learning disabilities

PCTs can meet the general health care needs of the great majority of people with learning disabilities through mainstream services commissioned for the public as a whole.

This note highlights some of the specific issues relating to people with learning disabilities that need to be considered when commissioning mainstream/generalist primary health care services.

It also suggests how commissioners can monitor these services to ensure they are being provided effectively and are meeting the health care needs of people with learning disabilities within their local population.

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Primary Care Service Framework for the Management of Health for People with Learning Disabilities

NHS Primary Care Contracting have launched a primary care commissioning framework with an accompanying suite of practical resources to help GPs deliver annual health checks for people with learning disabilities with support from Primary Care Trusts and Community Learning Disability Teams.

We helped to write the accompanying health check materials. Find out more about the Framework and accompanying materials on the NHS Primary Care Contracting website. 

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The project was funded by the Valuing People Support Team and the participating PCTs.

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