Transforming identities through Transforming Care: How people with learning disabilities experience moving out of hospital

Abstract

Accessible Summary People with learning disabilities talked about what it was like to move out of hospital. People talked about how important their relationships with other people were. People wanted to feel comfortable with new members of staff so that they felt safe and happy in their new home. People talked about how moving out of hospital changed how they thought about themselves. When they were in hospital, people sometimes thought that they were “bad.” But after they moved, some people started to think that they were a different person. It is important for everyone to think about how they talk to people when they are in hospital, and when they have moved out. People can do really well living in their own home, rather than in hospital. Abstract BackgroundPeople with learning disabilities are moving out of hospitals as part of the Transforming Care programme, although thus far their views on how they have experienced this have not been researched. Materials and MethodsA qualitative design was used to explore how people with learning disabilities experienced moving as part of Transforming Care. Eleven people took part in semi‐structured interviews; they were supported by Key Support People (n = 9) who knew them well. A social constructionist Grounded Theory approach was used in analysis. Results and DiscussionPeople reported that their relationships with other people, including friends, family and staff, played a significant role in how they experienced the move. Moving was also an opportunity for people to shift their ideas about who they were as a person and opened up a wider array of stories about their identity. ConclusionsA number of recommendations are discussed, relevant for staff working in this field to support positive transitions out of hospital.

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