Learning Disability Practice
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NHS agrees to fund drug for children with Batten disease
Decision comes weeks before families set to go to the High Court to challenge NHS England's...
Effects on health of learning disabilities and autism
The links between learning disability and autism on mental health and poorer general health
Exploring workforce retention issues in learning disability services
Retention can be influenced by factors such as job satisfaction, pay and being part of a team
Children with learning disabilities may miss important vaccinations
At all ages, almost all vaccination rates are lower for children with learning disabilities
RCN demands action on bullying in Scottish health service
Parliamentary debate on the issue sparks call for culture change
NMC receives 34 whistleblowing disclosures in 2018/19
Report reveals how the nurse regulator dealt with whistleblowers' concerns
Evidence and Practice
Syndromes: Batten disease
A look at Batten disease, a collection of rare and fatal inherited disorders of the nervous...
The Telford model: inspiring new leaders in learning disability nursing
Supporting and mentoring learning disability nursing students can be rewarding for all...
Reintegration of people with mental health problems or learning disabilities from prison
The benefits of a communication forum specifically in support of community reintegration
Staff training in services for people who have LDs with behaviour that challenges
An interactive and collaborative approach may be most effective
Development of epilepsy risk assessment guidance for carers and services
Nurses need to feel confident about supporting people with LD affected by epilepsy
Puberty: challenges for adolescents on the autism spectrum
Nurses need an understanding of the root causes of problematic sexual behaviour
Features
Ensuring everyone has a voice: a communication tool for non-verbal patients
RCNi Nurse Awards student winners spread the word about their Makaton language resource
Learning disabilities team transforms hospital experience and culture of care
Team has reduced hospital stays and introduced 'champions' network and training
Don't forget about us, say parents of children with learning disabilities
Families explain how they feel there can be a lack of health and social care support
Oliver McGowan: mother wants compulsory LD training to be her son's legacy
Paula McGowan led campaign call at Positive Choices 2019 conference
Coach’s support helps hold down a job
A scheme gives coaching to people with a learning disability until they settle into a new job
Person-centred support for men with learning disabilities who have a forensic history
What it takes for a care home to gain outstanding status from the Care Quality Commission
Opinion
'I saw your behaviour as a form of communication'
An experience with a violent patient taught Hazel Molyneux why forming a rapport is vital
Watford FC opens its arms to people with learning disabilities
People with learning disabilities can feel a sense of connection by going to football matches, especially at clubs that welcome them creatively
Celebrating 100 years of learning disability nursing at the House of Commons
Nurse Kirsty Colley reflects on her day at the centenary event
Students
What to do when words fail
Communication problems are not uncommon when people with complex needs are admitted to hospital, and one nursing student is creating a toolkit that will include tips from specialists and signposting to additional support
Using positive reinforcement to manage violence and aggression
Reminding a service user with learning disabilities how much her behaviour had improved helped nursing student Bradley Squirrell successfully de-escalate a violent situation
A fresh take on medicines management for patients with a learning disability
Mental health nursing student Kirsty Killiard implemented a system for monitoring the use of ‘as required’ medication for patients on a forensic learning disability ward, earning her a place as a finalist in the RCNi Nurse Awards.
Careers
We saw first-hand how learning disability nurses helped our son
After witnessing their son’s care, a couple have decided to become learning disability nurses
‘Taking on a lone position has been a challenge. I love it’
Award-winning Penelope Clark moved her family 800 miles to take up a post as the only community liaison nurse for learning disabilities and autism on the remote Shetland Islands
It’s a real privilege to support a family at the end of their child’s life
Sabine Schwaebisch on her role as as a band 6 care team nurse in palliative care at Helen House Children’s Hospice, Oxford, where 95% of children have a learning disability