In this helpful and empathetic video, Laura guides us though how to provide humanised care for patients with learning difficulties, and the importance of raising awareness through education.
My name is Laura, and today's video aims to help nurses outside of the learning disability specialism to better care for patients with learning disabilities (LDs).
I am an adult nursing student, and alongside my studies, I work as a support worker for people with a mixture of complex learning disabilities. The things I talk about in this video are not targeted at any group but reflect what I have witnessed and researched, aiming to raise awareness and give guidance.
The Impact Of Negative Attitudes Towards Patients With LDs
As nurses, we are taught to give humanising person-centred care to all patients without judgement or discrimination. However, as seen in the news and on social media, I have witnessed a general discriminative, dehumanising and negative attitude towards patients with learning disabilities, noticeably those whose disabilities are more profound and complex.
To me, this is the result of general ignorance and a lack of education regarding learning disabilities, contributing to poor care and 1200 avoidable deaths yearly. As a nursing community, we need to do more.
The NMC code states that all patients should be treated as individuals with respect and dignity, highlighting how humanised care is central to nursing education and practice.
However, this patient group is still marginalised, as shown during the COVID–19 pandemic. This is stressed in the Learning Disability Mortality Review, stating that people with learning disabilities are dying at 3.6 – 6 times the general population's rate.
As a result, 1.5 million people in the UK are continually being let down due to the lack of training given to nurses to meet their health needs. Why is this happening?
The Education Gap
Despite patients with learning disabilities being vulnerable due to their lowered capability to defend themselves from harm, they are not viewed as such. Thus, they are not placed in a separate group highlighting their different health needs to the general population.
This results in insufficient training and education being provided. This education gap is highlighted in a Freedom of Information request sent to NHS Trusts and Universities.
The results show that 47% of hospitals do not incorporate learning disability information into staff training. Additionally, 22% of universities did not offer training on reasonable adjustments for people with LD.
Making reasonable adjustments falls under the 2010 Equality Act. So, as professionals, we are accountable for ensuring these adjustments are made to avoid discriminating against patients with learning disabilities.
But how can we do this if we have yet to be trained?
The NMC code states that all patients should be treated as individuals with respect and dignity, highlighting how humanised care is central to nursing education and practice.
About this contributor
Student Nurse
Hi I’m Laura and I’m a student nurse studying adult nursing. I have recently joined the nurses.co.uk team and look forward to creating content in the coming months. I have an interest in learning disabilities and an amazing opportunity to complete an international elective in summer.
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