Supporting people with a learning disability in hospital

An experienced learning disability nurse who works closely with learning disability professionals, hospital staff, social care professionals and carers / parents to improve the journey of care and outcome of the person with learning disabilities while accessing an acute hospital

It is widely acknowledged that people with learning disabilities have not always received the same standard of care and treatment while accessing acute hospitals Service users and carers have highlighted and identified these difficulties.

Support people with learning disabilities, their families and carers in preparing the person for hospital admission and during emergency admissions.

Provide support, education and advice to people with learning disabilities, their families and carers during the hospital admission and on discharge.

Share knowledge and skills with hospital staff on the needs of patients with learning disabilities.

Promote collaboration between the agencies involved in service delivery to ensure effective seamless care by undertaking home based visits pre and post hospital admission Support hospital staff to ensure safe and appropriate admission and discharge for people with learning disabilities.

Provide accessible information about treatments

Promote safety and minimise risks

Provide training to hospital staff on learning disability awareness.

NHS Borders is committed to implementing recommendations as stated in “The keys to life” – Improving quality of life for people with learning disabilities strategy, which aims to end health inequalities and discrimination for people with a learning disability.