Learning disability and autism training programme – first for ambulance service

North East Ambulance Service has launched a sector-first, co-produced Learning Disability and Autism training programme, created in partnership with patients, carers, and advocacy groups across the region.

This pioneering programme has been developed alongside the North East & North Cumbria Learning Disability and Autism Network, individuals with lived experience, and organisations such as Inclusion North, Skills for People, and Autism in Mind. It is a direct response to long-standing health inequalities and aims to improve how ambulance staff interact with and care for people with a learning disability and autistic people.

“I’m really proud to see that our service has been able to develop more training so that our colleagues on the road are able to provide the right support to all of our patients, including those with learning disabilities and autism.”

Karen Gardner, Assistant Director of people and development, NEAS.

North East Ambulance Service says it is proud to be the first ambulance service in the country to work towards achieving the Learning Disability and Autism Diamond Standard for this work. It is learning from the outcome of workshops with those who have interacted with ambulance services to then develop a new education package being rolled out to all staff. This package will become part of the service’s statutory and mandatory training programme from 2025/26.

The service is also preparing to launch its communications guide for patients with learning disabilities on a smartphone app, making access to this vital tool easier for crews on the road. The updated communication support guide will make it simpler to use easy-read images to help triage people with learning disabilities and make communicate more effective.

Find out more from the NEAS Learning Disability Zone.

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