Health Advocacy Research Project (HARP)

Home > News and Events > News - release archive > 2006 > March

NHS Argyll & Clyde’s Learning Disability Directorate have launched a new project called the “Health Advocacy Research Project” - or “HARP” for short in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

Unfortunately, it will come as no surprise that the health needs of people with a learning disability often go unmet and unnoticed. There are many reasons for this, but one of the biggest stumbling blocks is a lack of awareness on the best ways to communicate with this population. Services often exclude adults with a learning disability because the person can’t understand appointment cards or the purpose of any particular health service or procedure. This is just the tip of a very large iceberg.

The HARP project, funded by the Scottish Executive for eighteen months, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people with a learning disability.

Health Advocate within the project Julian Heng said:

“HARP is an exciting new project. By offering specialist nurse health checks we’ll be able to identify gaps in the person’s health care. Then by working with various health services to look at how they offer their service, we’ll be able to create more friendly and appropriate services.

Project Manager Grace Canero said:

“The whole team are confident that our efforts will add up to better health for people with a learning disability. If we can make the NHS easier for people to navigate, that will help people to feel that they are in control of their own health.”

For more information about the HARP project call one of the team on 01505 821 077, or if you’d like advice in supporting someone with a learning disability call the Community Learning Disability Team on 01505 325703.

Press Release: Monday 13 March 2006