Learning Disability Practice
Editor's choice
Planet Rachael: could this be the year of the ‘lovely’ nurse?
Staff attitudes and behaviour fail to meet expectations but are easy to fix
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Putting person-centred care at the heart of learning disability services
Ireland targets services for those with learning disabilities and their families and carers
Health secretary Hancock raises smiles over how ‘50,000 more nurses’ pledge is viewed
Minister was speaking at launch of Florence Nightingale Foundation academy
Sepsis now a bigger killer than cancer, study suggests
Analysis of global data reveals 11 million sepsis-related deaths in 2017
Nursing home manager struck off for failing to act on abuse claims
NMC sanctions three former staff at Devon care home for patient neglect
RCNi Nurse Awards 2020: deadline for nominations extended
Individuals and teams now have until 7 February to nominate themselves or a colleague
Nurses’ strikes suspended: RCN and Unison to consult members on pay and staffing deal
Unions suspend industrial action after securing offer in crunch talks with health minister
Evidence and Practice
Role of a learning disability nursing network in developing students’ skills
Why you should read this article • To enhance your awareness of how online networking can...
Development of training programme to manage behaviour
Some children and young people with a learning disability also present with behaviour that...
Exploring mental health issues in people with an intellectual disability
Why you should read this article • Mental health concerns in people with intellectual...
Exploring the value of reflexivity in learning disability research
Reflexivity can be used by researchers to manage their thoughts, feelings and preconceptions
How learning disability nurses can support self-management for people with asthma
Asthma is a long-term condition that requires patient education, support and close...
Resource Buddy: an online resource to support mindfulness-based interventions
Exploring the evidence base for mindfulness-based interventions for people with LDs
Features
PBS Festival 2019 encourages positive approach to behaviour that challenges
Event attracted practitioners and people with learning disabilities and their families
Is your client at risk of forced marriage?
How nurses can help people with learning disabilities who are at risk of forced marriage
Personalised end of life care for people with learning disabilities is the gold standard
Irene Tuffrey-Wijne advocates service-user involvement in decisions that affect them
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
Opinion
Planet Rachael: could this be the year of the ‘lovely’ nurse?
Staff attitudes and behaviour fail to meet expectations but are easy to fix
Communication: one test that can keep people with mild learning disabilities engaged
A test of language skills has helped breakdown potential barriers for healthcare staff
Compulsory learning disability training for all NHS staff is long overdue
Government announces £1.4 million scheme in England thanks to campaign by one brave mother
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
How I make the emergency department less daunting for people with learning disabilities
Lauren Johnston describes her work in a pioneering nursing role
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