Development and implementation of the Steps to Successful Palliative Care programme in residential care homes for people with a learning disability.

BACKGROUND:: For health and social care services to meet the needs of a growing and ageing population they need to respond appropriately. This response is only going to be possible if attention is paid to the individuals within it. This includes those people living with a learning disability (LD).

AIMS:: To develop and implement a palliative care programme that would meet the needs of people with a LD, their families and care home staff.

METHODS:: A palliative care programme and resource folder was created following a literature review and meetings with LD and specialist palliative care experts, organisations and care home managers. This folder was further developed collaboratively throughout the programme's implementation.

FINDINGS:: 39 homes were recruited and 86% completed the programme.

CONCLUSIONS:: This programme enabled the identification, assessment and management of the health and social care needs of people living and dying in a care home with a LD.