A PROJECT to ensure that people with learning disabilities in Huddersfield get the best possible care when they go into hospital has been launched.

Heather Pearson, project worker with the South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust, is carrying out a survey on the patients and carers who use Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Heather will be talking to patients and carers to find out what issues affect people with learning disabilities.

She will also work with staff to discover ways in which services can be improved to benefit both patients and professionals.

Heather said: "Going into hospital can be a confusing and frightening time for people with learning disabilities.

"This project is about finding out about their experiences, and looking into ways in which they can be improved.

"I'm also going to be working with nursing staff to find out more about their training needs.

"I'm hoping to get a lot of valuable information using questionnaires that I have devised especially for each group."

The results will highlight training needs and areas where procedures need to be changed as well as areas of good practice.

"This is an important project and will lead to real improvements in the treatment and care of people with learning disabilities while they are in hospital," said Heather.

"I'd like to thank patients, carers and members of staff for all the support I have received so far."

The South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust serves people with mental health and learning problems in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.