Wendy Johnson
Cawston Park hospital in Norfolk, which was closed following an inspection after the death of Ben King (inset): why do too many health professionals assume people with learning disabilities matter less and how can we overcome such discrimination?
Learning disabilities: are your choices at work always right?
Why do many health professionals accept poor care and how to overcome such discrimination
17 Mar 2023
Nothing will change until service users’ health needs are met
Despite the LeDeR continually highlighting health inequalities demonstrable change is slow
16 Nov 2022
Why it is about time that records of any ‘use of force' are kept
All settings must have policies on avoiding restraint, seclusion and restrictive practices
14 Jul 2022
Have your say on the new Liberty Protection Safeguards Code of Practice
Nurses have until 7 July to contribute to the consultation on proposed changes in England
12 May 2022
Reasonable adjustments: can we do more for potential employees with autism?
Nurses could be used as a resource to fill the gap for direct workplace support 
28 Jan 2022
Why learning disability nurses need to be service leaders
Specialist nurses need to lead for real and lasting change to be realised
05 Nov 2021
Non-verbal communication: why it’s important to show service users that you’re listening

Being held, heard and shown you matter is key for treating vulnerable patients

09 Sep 2021
Why our role in safeguarding the vulnerable is more important than ever

Asking the right questions gives service users more chances to admit they are at risk

16 Jul 2021
Collaboration and preparation will be key to the success of Liberty Protection Safeguards

Learning disability nurses should be aware of changes being implemented in spring 2022

12 May 2021
Bias
Why is there such bias in healthcare against people with learning disabilities?

The government’s own research on COVID-19 deaths reveals a shocking statistic

18 Mar 2021
Illustration of a young woman with learning disabilities who is needle-phobic and afraid of being vaccinated
COVID-19 and needle phobia: ensuring service users are vaccinated

Trust and consent are key to supporting people to have the vaccine safely 

25 Jan 2021
Planet Rachael: all at sea during COVID-19 – anyone got a bilge pump?
Rachael’s isolation at the start of COVID-19 didn’t seem anything new but things have changed
06 Nov 2020
Planet Rachael: the danger of making assumptions

In the ‘new normal’, we must not assume that virtual consultations are accessible to all

04 Sep 2020
Planet Rachael: we must unite to protect the lives of people with learning disabilities

Black Lives Matter has shown how powerful a social movement for change can be

09 Jul 2020
Planet Rachael: what’s new about our COVID-19 world?
Wendy Johnson observes that being in isolation is all too familiar to a neuroatypical person
07 May 2020
Planet Rachael: why the Curly Wurly theory could extend to managing ED expectations
A long wait in a hospital shows it’s wise to disclose the true situation at the outset
04 Mar 2020
Planet Rachael: could this be the year of the ‘lovely’ nurse?
Staff attitudes and behaviour fail to meet expectations but are easy to fix
15 Jan 2020
Planet Rachael: schools need training to support pupils on the autistic spectrum
Ignorance could damage our children, says Wendy Johnson
11 Nov 2019

5 Most Read Articles

Care home nurse suspended for lying about making 999 call 

Nurse also did not attempt CPR as she claimed that a resident was ‘already dead’

Patient deterioration: how to develop and use your nursing instincts

Spotting deterioration takes more than tools – experts’ advice on honing your instincts

Bank shift nurses face huge losses from their NHS pensions

Three trusts want to move bank nurses to an agency, slashing employer pension contributions

Action is needed now or the learning disability profession will disappear

The NHS and higher education need to acknowledge the need for urgent investment

Nurses who experienced miscarriages warn of inadequate PPE when handling toxins

Are employers doing enough to protect staff who handle chemotherapy medicines?