Year published: 2019
These new resources have been developed to help families and carers of people with a learning disability, as well as staff who work with them, know the signs of constipation, and what to do if you think someone is constipated. They are the work of a national constipation working group, which was set up to develop a better understanding of the medical factors contributing to constipation deaths. It includes representatives from a wide range of health and social care organisations, as well as a self-advocate with a learning disability and a bereaved family carer whose son died prematurely from constipation. Attached is the leaflet for health professionals, but there are also versions for families and carers, and easy read options if you go to NHS England website (link below)
All of the resources are available on the NHS England and NHS Improvement website at https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/constipation-learning-disability-resources/
NHS England and NHS Improvement is also supporting the development of a Books Beyond Words book on constipation for people with a learning disability, which will be available in the near future at https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/. It will help improve awareness and understanding of the risks of constipation, and the importance of getting help when needed.