Summary

This study wants to find out how something called C(E)TRs helps people with learning disabilities and autistic people. C(E)TRs are special plans or reviews that help doctors and caregivers take better care of these people.

What is the study about?

Right now, more than 2,000 people who have learning disabilities or autism are staying in special hospitals called psychiatric hospitals. These hospitals help people with mental health problems. More than half of these people stay in the hospital for more than two years. That is a very long time!

In 2015, a new kind of meeting was started. These meetings are called Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews, or C(E)TRs for short. These meetings are made to check how well the hospital is helping the person. The goal is to make sure people get the best care and can go home sooner.

Researchers will compare people who had these meetings with those who did not. This will help doctors and hospitals find better ways to help people with learning disabilities and autism.

What is the study trying to find out? 

Researchers want to learn if the C(E)TR meetings help people. They will look at things like:

• How often people go to the hospital
• How long they stay
• How their symptoms change
• How happy they feel
• How much it costs to care for them

What does taking part involve?

1. People will agree to talk to a researcher
2. The researcher will call people and share more details about the study
3. The researchers will read the Participant Information Sheet with the people who are interested
4. If they wish to take part, the researcher will arrange an appointment to complete surveys together
5. At the end, the people who took part will receive a voucher as a thank you for taking part

Who is it for?  

If you are a between 14 and 17 years old and….

• Have been told by a doctor that you have a learning disability or autism
• AND you are getting help from special health teams
• OR you are over 18 years old and care for someone who has a learning disability or autism

….. then we would like to hear from you.

We hope that 300 people will take part.  

Why is it important?  

If C(E)TRs work well, they can make life better for many people and help doctors and families know the best ways to help.

How can I find out more?

You can find out more information about taking part in this study by downloading the key documents at the top of this page.  You can also find out more information on the project website here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/opticat 

If you are interested in taking part in this study, or have questions for the research team, please email us using the link below:

r&d@nelft.nhs.uk