Cathy Thomas explains why encouraging people with learning disabilities to focus on their actions or environment appears to reduce their aggression

This article describes part of the evaluation of the mindfulness programme, which has been run collaboratively by nurses, psychology staff and patients for more than three years on the women’s wards of a forensic learning disability service. It outlines what mindfulness is, how it is delivered and the views of the nursing team on some of the strengths, challenges and benefits of using this approach with patients in their care.