Celebration event for The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism

‘In 2018, Paula successfully launched a parliamentary petition asking for doctors and nurses in England to receive mandatory training in Learning disability and Autism awareness. As a direct consequence Government announced that Health and Social Care Staff would receive The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism.’

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is recommended by the government and aims to provide the health and social care workforce with the right skills and knowledge to provide safe, compassionate, and informed care to autistic people and people with a learning disability. This requirement is set out in the Health and Care Act 2022.

On behalf of Paula and Tom McGowan NHSE WT&E colleagues organised a celebration day to recognise the ongoing success of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory training being implemented within trusts across the UK. The day was led by Tom and Paula McGowan, Shaun Armour, Expert with Lived Experience, Hazel Griffiths, Expert with Lived Experience Alan Morrison, Expert with Lived Experience and Philippa Spicer, Senior Responsible Officer for Learning Disability and Autism, NHS England.

Guest speakers including Professor Adrian James giving his view on the importance of the Oliver McGowan mandatory training as a psychiatrist, Paul Gilluley, Chief Medical Officer, NHS North East London talking, how it is being rolled out across the trust and special messages of encouragement from Navina Evans, Chief Workforce Training and Education Officer, NHS England and Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive.

Also shown on the day was the new animation approved by Paula McGowan which emphasises the importance of better understanding Autism and learning difficulties within the medical field and beyond.

Feedback on the day was great, it shows how far we’ve come, but also how far we’ve got to go. The Oliver McGowan training will provide a better understanding and treatment for those with Autism and learning difficulties.

Read more here.

Watch the animation here.