We're marking Learning Disability Nurses’ Day recognising the vital role our nursing professionals play in promoting safety, dignity and inclusion for people with a learning disability.
People with a learning disability often face barriers in accessing healthcare and experience poorer outcomes as a result. Learning disability nurses make a real difference - by listening, advocating, and making sure care meets each person’s individual needs. Their work helps reduce health inequalities and ensures that everyone is treated with respect and understanding.
Meet Amy, Jack and Heather from the East Lothian Learning Disability Nursing Team.
Amy: “We support individuals across their lifespan, as young children, teens, adults, and older adults. This means that we get to know our patients really well. We build long-lasting bonds of trust - you don’t often get in other nursing role. It’s truly a privilege to be an LD nurse.”
Jack: “Your work and role feels incredibly valued. The individuals we support really need us. The care we provide, while health focused, is very person-centred, ensuring that reasonable adjustments are made so people with learning disabilities are able to access mainstream and specialist services, to reduce health inequalities and meet their personal outcomes.”
Heather: “I can’t imagine doing anything different. We work daily with fantastic individuals supporting them to been seen, heard and included. Our role is to support individuals to meet their health needs, but also encourage them to have their own voice, and speak up for what they need and want, to live the life they choose. We help them to thrive, flourish and fulfil their potential.”
Speaking in 2024, Dr Karen Ozden, Nurse Director Mental Health & Learning Disability for NHS Lothian commented, “Learning Disability nurses are inspirational in how they work alongside people with learning disabilities to enable them to live their healthiest and best life.
It takes people with the right set of values, compassion, skills and expertise, coupled alongside a diverse range of knowledge, to provide good quality nursing care for people with a learning disability.”
Find out more about Learning Disability Services here.