WUTH Supports Learning Disability Community During Awareness Week
To mark Learning Disability Awareness Week (16th to 22nd June 2025), Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) joined forces with local charity Wirral Mencap and other local organisations to raise awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with a learning disability and their carers – whether as patients, staff or visitors.
As part of the week, a group of volunteer learning disability advocates from Wirral Mencap were invited to visit the Surgical Elective Admission Lounge (SEAL) at Arrowe Park Hospital. This unit is where patients attend prior to surgery and includes facilities designed to meet the needs of patients who experience heightened anxiety in a hospital environment.
Staff explained the additional support offered to patients with a learning disability who need to have surgery. This includes pre-operative visits to familiarise patients with the environment and meet the team ahead of their procedure. On the day of surgery, patients with additional needs are prioritised so they do not need to wait longer than necessary, helping to minimise stress and anxiety.
A key feature of the extra support is Archie’s Room, a sensory room created in 2023 to provide a calming and reassuring space for adults with additional needs.
Nicola Roberts, one of the visiting group who has a learning disability as well as scoliosis and uses a walking aid, said:
“The room was set at the right temperature for everyone to feel relaxed. The pouffes were very comfortable to sit on and very supportive for my back. I think a lot of people, particularly those with sensory disabilities or those who have suffered from a stroke, would benefit hugely from this room. It’s a great way to relieve stress and calm the mind.”
Becky Brumpton, Deputy Ward Manager on the SEAL Unit and the driving force behind Archie’s Room, said:
“Coming into hospital for surgery can be a daunting experience for anyone – but for people with a learning disability, it can be overwhelming. A lot of that anxiety comes from not knowing what to expect or feeling anxious in a clinical setting.
“By offering the chance to visit beforehand and get familiar with the surroundings and staff, we help ease those fears. Archie’s Room gives them a quiet, calming space and the reassurance they need to feel more at ease. It can make a huge difference to their patient experience and helps them through something that might have otherwise felt impossible.”
WUTH has an ongoing partnership Wirral Mencap, and this is not the first time that members have been invited to give their views on hospital services. Previous projects include hospital signage and ward information folders.
Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said:
“Understanding the lived experience of people with a learning disability is a vital part of the Trust’s ongoing work to enhance hospital services and ensure they are inclusive and accessible to all. That’s why partnerships with organisations such as Wirral Mencap are so important.
“I’m incredibly proud of our teams for the thoughtful, compassionate care they continue to provide, and for the innovations like Archie’s Room that are already having such a positive impact on the lives of our patients with learning disabilities.”
The staff at WUTH remain committed to listening to and learning from all members of the community to continue developing inclusive, supportive and person-centred care.
ENDS
Photo 1: Wirral Mencap Learning Disability Advocates with Andrew Bradley-Gibbons, SEAL Ward Manager and Becky Brumptom, SEAL Deputy Ward Manager
Photo 2: Nicola Roberts in Archie's Room