PEOPLE with learning difficulties in Worcestershire are being given a greater say on the support and healthcare they are given.

At a meeting of Worcestershire County Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board on Tuesday, March 3 members heard the latest on an ongoing project to reorganise services for people with learning difficulties.

The project is being put together both by people involved in care and support as well as those with the conditions themselves.

Speaking at the meeting at County Hall Tim Holman, who himself has learning difficulties and has played a key role in the project, said he was pleased with the progress it had made.

”We want to make sure that people with learning difficulties and their carers are involved in the planning of the services,” he said.

“We are very pleased we are able to have a say – we think it’s important that people who plan and run services should hear the view of these people.”

He said one of the important areas where work remained to be done was ensuring people with learning difficulties had easy access to all the information they needed.

“It’s important that things like letters are easy to read,” he said. “We are worried about the growing use of the internet.

“Using the internet is not easy for many people with learning difficulties.”

The project is focused on helping those with learning difficulties stay healthy and safe while also living as full a life as possible.

Board member representing the district councils in the north of Worcestershire Cllr Anne Hingley said it was important the county’s services supported not only people with learning difficulties but also their carers.

Worcestershire County Council’s director of adult services and health Dr Richard Harling said part of the project involved ensuring as many people were given support and treatment within the county following the revelations of abuse at Winterbourne View care home near Bristol in 2011.