2022 Annual Report Learning Disability and Autism Research Group

2022 saw a change in the name of the Learning Disability Research Group to Learning Disability and Autism Research Group.

The SIG held a meeting at the SAPC  2022 conference and focused on the newly established collaboration with Kings College London, St Georges and University of Central Lancashire on delivering the Learning from Death of People with Learning Disability and or Autism (LeDeR) programme. As well holding the annual SIG meeting at the Annual Conference in July 2022 the Helen Lester Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr Amy Russell (Dr Amy M Russell | SAPC ) titled ‘Breaking the cycle of inequalities: Doing things differently in research and in primary care for people with a learning disability’.

There is a strong link and collaboration with the RCGP Learning and disability and autism group with over 50 clinicians which has created an opportunity for collaboration on research ideas. Online meetings are held every 12 weeks with an opportunity to present current research projects and explore opportunities.

International opportunities are also being explored in Europe with a view to organising a meeting to develop a consensus on monitoring physical and mental wellbeing for people with learning disability. We are hoping to use the Brighton SAPC ASM SIG meeting to develop a consensus physical health which can be shared across Europe.