How good was the NHS Campus Reprovision? An Evaluation by Jackie Topp Independent Researcher

In people with severe learning difficulties were told they must move from homes belonging to the NHS to new homes in the community. This was called ‘Towards 2010 Campus Reprovision’.

In of these people were discharged from NHS care and accommodation. The other people had sadly died over the years

I was asked to find out how well the Project was ran and how effective different people involved were in their work. I asked families and staff to fill in questionnaires

Sadly, I was unable to ask the people who moved what they thought, as I did not have the time.

The Government said that all people with learning difficulties in Britain had to move out of hospital-run homes. Living in NHS homes meant the people were patients. They did not have the same rights as other people. Why did the reprovision have to happen?

The reprovision in Northamptonshire was very complicated. This is because there were so many people and everyone had to be treated individually.

People with learning disabilities often need help to make decisions. Friends, family and advocates made up people’s Circles of Support to help with this. Some people on the Circles of Support said they didn’t always understand why the people had to move. How were people supported?

Circles of support had to help people choose where they wanted to live. They had to help people choose who they wanted to live with. They had to help choose who was going to support each person. What decisions had to be made?

The Project used In Control to help people with the process. In Control believes “that every human being has equal dignity and the right to be treated with equal respect, whatever their impairment, age, health and other circumstance. We are all different, but we are all entitled to be treated with respect.” In-control.org.uk

7 Steps to In Control 1. Right to independent living If someone has an impairment they should be able to get the support they need to live an independent life. 2. Right to a personal budget If someone needs on-going support they should be able to decide how the money that pays for that support is used. 3. Right to self-determination If someone needs help to make decisions then decision-making should involve that person as much as possible and reflect that person's own interests and preferences. 4. Right to accessibility People must be able to understand the systems and rules to maximise the ability of the person to control their own support.

7 Steps continued… 5. Right to flexible funding When someone is using their personal budget they should be free to spend their money in a way that best makes sense to them, without unnecessary restrictions. 6. Accountability principle The person with support needs and the government both have a responsibility to each other to explain their decisions and to share what they have learnt. 7. Capacity principle People with support needs, their families and their communities must not be assumed to be incapable of managing their support, learning new skills or making a contribution.

Some people thought In Control was right for the Project. Other people said they did not understand it and wanted more training. Did people like In- Control?

It took longer to find houses than people expected. Some bungalows being lived in were kept and made into separate flats. It took longer to make changes to these homes than people wanted. Housing

Many people had to move into temporary homes whilst their new homes were being built and equipment was ordered. Some people were not happy in their temporary homes.

Plans to move the people into their new homes slowly and carefully did not always happen.

Families needed a lot of support with understanding how support would work outside hospital. Support

It took a long time to find out how much it would cost for each person to live safely. It also took a long time to decide who would give the support needed

Some people were happy with the support they got. Some people wanted more support than they were given.

Some people in the Circles of support were not happy about the way some professionals worked to support them. What did people think about professional support in the Project?

They said people doing the reprovision should have explained better how it would all work. They should have explained better how people with severe learning difficulties could live safely and well outside hospital.

Some people said that the Campus Reprovision was very slow in the beginning but that lots of things happened too quickly at the end. The end was very quick because the Government said that everyone must move by December 2010.

Everyone has now moved into their own home. Everyone has their own tenancy. Some have chosen to live alone. Some share with 1 or 2 others Some people now have their own cars 2011

People should now have choice and control over what they do and how they do it. They should not be restricted by hospital rules. They should be full citizens in society.

It is very important to watch how people are doing. This is called monitoring. Monitoring will tell us if people are keeping healthy and having a better life in the community than they had when they were patients.

Systems have been put in place to make sure that the people’s healthcare is properly supported. Some people have the same GP and psychiatrist. This helps with health monitoring.

Some people still have some support staff known to them for many years. This helps with general monitoring. Unfortunately the people no longer have dedicated advocates who visit regularly. This does not help with monitoring.

Now the people have settled into their new homes they should be asked if they think their lives are better. I am meeting 4 people to do this as part of my Masters in Disability Studies. I will have my findings in September.

Thank you for listening. I am happy to answer any questions If you want to contact me please me at: