Breast Care Checks

Hi Hayley,

The NHS have produced a helpful easy read guide to breast screening - there is a page in there about differences to look/check for that might be helpful, even if you don't require the whole document.

if you google breast screening for those with learning disabilities there are a couple of documents that come up. one from Gov.Uk

I think breast health checks should always be carried out in a way that protects the person’s dignity, privacy, choice and consent. We should explain what the check is for in a way the individual understands, using accessible communication if needed, and make sure they understand that they can say no or stop at any time.

Where possible, the person should be supported to carry out their own checks or attend appropriate screening appointments, rather than staff carrying out an intimate examination themselves. Staff can provide reminders, encouragement and practical support, and help the person understand what changes they should report.

If an intimate examination is clinically required, it should be carried out by an appropriately trained healthcare professional, with proper consent, privacy and safeguarding procedures in place. Staff should follow the individual’s care plan and organisational policies and avoid doing anything outside their competence.

For people with autism or learning disabilities, we should consider reasonable adjustments such as easy-read information, visual prompts, familiar staff, extra processing time, a quieter environment and explaining each step before it happens. The person should be involved in decisions about who supports them and how.

Any new or unusual changes should be reported to the appropriate healthcare professional rather than staff trying to diagnose the problem themselves.