NHS Leeds is launching a new resource to help people with learning disabilities take better care of their hearts. The Your Heart Matters manual will be launched on Thursday 19 May at the Leeds Media Centre.

Clinicians from Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trusts’ Cardiac Rehabilitation Service have been involved in developing Your Health Matters as well as health professionals from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust. The project has also been supported by a focus group that includes people with learning disabilities and their families and carers.

As a result of the project, patients will now be presented with a resource designed to improve their experience of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service. It is designed to improve their overall experience of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service. Your Heart Matters presents an easy to read guide that empowers people to improve their lifestyles so that they reduce the risk of developing further heart related illnesses.

Your Health Matters also includes an additional guide for health professionals so that staff can understand the needs and barriers people with learning disabilities sometimes face when accessing services.

Bushara Bostan, Health Improvement Specialist for NHS Leeds says: “Prior to this project, there was very little accessible information available for people with learning disabilities accessing cardiac rehabilitation services. The development of this resource has led to an increased understanding of the needs of people with learning disabilities when accessing cardiac services. It has promoted joint working between partners and service users ensuring patients receive a fair and equitable service.”

Jonathan Butler, part of the Your Heart Matters focus group and a Governor for Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust, adds: “The information given to people with learning disabilities should be easy to understand. This makes health services accessible for everyone. This is fairer because it means people get equal treatment.”

The manual has been funded through the Department of Health’s Pacesetter Programme which has been developed to tackle health inequalities through equality and diversity improvements and innovations.

Your Health Matters will be launched at the Leeds Media Centre on Thursday 19 May at 11am. The launch will include a number of activities to help delegates understand the four key themes of the manual – eat well, be active, get checked out and stay well.

A more general version of the guide is being developed that will support people with learning disabilities who are not using the specialist cardiac rehabilitation service. The book will feature similar advice on lifestyle, diet and other factors that can help people keep their heart healthy. This version will be launched in Learning Disability Week, June 20-26 2011.