Learning Disability Nursing 100 years

 17 - 20 June 2019

This year is the 100th anniversary of Learning Disability Nursing and together with Bangor University, the University of South Wales is keen to celebrate the skills and successes of this rewarding and extremely important profession.

Learning Disability Nurses work in partnership with children and adults with a learning disability, their families and or carers. The Learning Disability Nurse supports individuals to reach their health and wellbeing potential within a society that is inclusive and respects individuals’ rights. Supporting the equality agenda and enabling equity of access to all healthcare services is an essential role for the
learning disability nurse.

Central roles of learning disability nurses can be summarised as:

• effectively identifying and meeting health needs;
• reducing health inequalities through the promotion and implementation of reasonable adjustments; and
• promoting improved health outcomes and increasing access to (and understanding of) general health services, consequently enabling social inclusion. (Scottish Government, 2012).
  

The learning disability nurse in Wales has an integral role in meeting the desired outcomes set by the Welsh Government Improving Lives Programme (2018) across primary and secondary care, learning disability specialist service, local authorities and third sector organisations. Learning disability nurses contribute to the nursing service across the lifespan applying person centred approaches to co-produce nursing care that meets the needs of individuals and their families and or carers.