Flagship 'one-stop shop' for adults with learning difficulties opens

A flagship centre aimed at providing a more accessible, speedier, 'one-stop shop' for adults with learning difficulties has officially opened in Withywood.

Health practitioners from Bristol Primary Care Trust and social care practitioners from Bristol City Council Adult Community Care Department have joined forces to form the Bristol South Community Learning Difficulties Team. The new joint team is based at the Withywood Centre, in Queens Road, Withywood.

The move comes in response to consultation with service users and carers who have consistently said they want as seamless a service as possible.

By developing an integrated Learning Difficulties Service, service-users and their carers will be able to access a more streamlined referral process, from a single point of contact, which should mean less confusion and speedier decisions. The new service will also provide improved therapy and meeting space.

In addition, staff from the health care and social care professions will be able to share their knowledge and experience, which should result in the continuing improvement of quality services for adults with learning difficulties.

The new service was launched on January 31 by Bristol City Councillor Peter Hammond, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Care and Communities, and Richard Weatherhead, Chair of Bristol Primary Care Trust. Service users and team members attended to celebrate a real achievement in successful partnership working.

Councillor Peter Hammond said: "The launch of this flagship one-stop shop for adults with learning difficulties will enable people to access a range of health and social care services more easily and get help more quickly.

"Bristol City Council is committed to partnership working with local agencies such as the Primary Care Trust and service users to deliver the high-quality health and social care services that people in Bristol want and deserve."

The Withywood Centre office is the first of three planned joint Community Learning Difficulties Team bases across the city, and will be followed by new joint team bases in Central and North Bristol later this year.