The self-assessment was designed to create an environment where people from partnership boards and other interested groups could work systematically alongside health and social care professionals to improve the health of people with learning disabilities in their community. The process has now been used in all ten English regions, making it possible to identify - both within and across regions innovative good practice, and also system and service deficits having an impact on the health of people with a learning disability. An additional benefit comes from repeating the process annually, thus allowing comparative analysis of progress, and identification of the factors that have helped to achieve that progress. The self-assessment has strengthened commissioning and offered a foundation and rationale for service development. It has led to better local and regional governance, accountability and systematic reporting, and - most important - has been a catalyst for greater and more meaningful involvement and inclusion in the health economy of people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
