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Learning Disability Nurses

A Learning Disability Nurse is a qualified nurse who has additional specialist training, knowledge, and skills to work in partnership with families and their relative with a learning disability, to support them to optimise their health and well-being throughout their lives.

Download info sheet: Learning Disability Nurses

Quick Read

What do they do?

Learning Disability Nurses work across a wide range of settings in the community and hospitals, usually as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT). They are a source of information and support and can advocate for your relative to ensure their health needs are met including making referrals or signposting to other services, e.g. psychology, occupational therapy.

 

Community Learning Disability Nurses provide support and advice to families including: Maintaining good physical and mental health, access to health checks and screening, toileting, sleep, sexual health, positive behaviour support, end of life care.

Learning Disability Acute Liaison Nurses make sure that your relative is fully supported during any care and treatment required in a hospital.

Primary Care Liaison Nurses work specifically with GPs and the services that work alongside the GP practice (primary care). They help support your relative to access services.

Learning Disability Nurses also play an important role in providing advice, support and training to their colleagues.

 

How can I find/contact my Learning Disability Nurse?

Ask your GP practice or other professionals e.g., social worker to help you with this.

Specifically, for Learning Disability Acute Liaison Nurses, you can contact:

  • NHS Patient Advice & Liaison Service for the hospital.
  • Phone and ask the main reception of the hospital.
  • If your relative needs to visit A&E, phone the department co-ordinator ahead of your arrival and ask if they have a Learning Disability Acute Liaison Nurse.

Alternatively, search the internet entering the key words: Name of NHS trust and/or hospital followed by ‘Learning Disability Acute Liaison Nurse’.

Download the info sheet: Learning Disability Nurses