THREE specially-made films to show people with learning disabilities what to expect when coming to hospital for a radiology appointment, are launched during Learning Disability Week (June 16-22).

The ‘My Hospital’ films feature people with learning disabilities and their carers as they come to hospital to have an x-ray, CT scan and an MRI scan.

For patients with a learning disability, undergoing a radiological procedure can be a worrying experience, and the films are a way of showing people what to expect before they arrive and allay fears.

The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust worked with Them Wifies and Hype Film to create the short films, which are now available on the Newcastle Hospitals YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/NewcastleHospitals.

The films will be officially launched by Sir Leonard Fenwick, chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals at a special screening on Thursday 19 June.

Sir Leonard, who was part of the 2008 inquiry into healthcare for people with learning disabilities called “Healthcare for All”, said: “By working together, radiology professionals, people with a learning disability and carers who support them, have created three films that can support patients to access our services.”

Them Wifies is a Newcastle-based community arts organisation which uses the arts to address health inequalities, and support people to lead happier, healthier and more positive lives.

Claire Murphy-Morgan from Them Wifies, said: “We have worked closely with actors with learning disabilities who have brought their own life experiences to the making of these films."

Newcastle Hospitals has also been involved in producing a ‘Hospital Passport’ to help people with learning disabilities.