On 19th October Changing Our Lives held a Quality of Health Conference at the Midlands Arts Centre. The conference showcased the Quality of Health Principles; a set of best practice standards that have been developed by people with learning disabilities in partnership with their peers with physical and sensory disabilities, people on the autistic spectrum, people with mental health issues and older people. Our self advocates used factual but fun 'roving reporter' films and presentations to tell health providers and commissioners what people who are 'vulnerable' expect in terms of person centred healthcare.  They successfully demonstrated the power of user led audits and the positive impact these have on the health experiences of people with learning disabilities.

The Principles have been used by people with learning disabilities as the basis for audits of health services including a general hospital, mental health services, GP practices, pharmacies and dentists. We highlighted the positive changes that have taken place in these healthcare services for people with learning disabilities as a result of the audits.

The conference was well attended by key senior figures from health and social care from across the West Midlands and a live twitter feed helped to highlight key issues.  Professor Steve Field, Chair of the NHS Future Forum and also the National Inclusion Health Board, closed the conference saying, "Your presentations were wonderful and gave me great hope. The work you are doing is great and is influencing the national commissioning board at the highest level. The Principles will be included in NHS contracts for 2013".

You can view photos, download a the presentations and read the speaker's biographies below.

The Quality Health Principles were launched in November 2011.