Caring for people with learning disabilities

The following resources are available in the RCN library to help in providing quality care for people with learning disabilities.

RCN resources

The resources listed below are also available for free download at www.rcn.org.uk/publications

• Royal College of Nursing (2011) Learning from the past – setting out the future: developing learning disability nursing in the United Kingdom, London: RCN
• Royal College of Nursing (2011) Meeting the health needs of people with learning disabilities, London: RCN
• Royal College of Nursing (2010) Mental health nursing of adults with learning disabilities, London: RCN
• Royal College of Nursing (2010) Dignity in health care for people with learning disabilities, London: RCN

Books

• Hannon, L. and Clift, J. (2011) General hospital care for people with learning disabilities. Chichester: Blackwell
• Gates, B and Barr, O. (2009) Oxford handbook of learning and intellectual disability nursing. Oxford: OUP
• Corbett, J. (2007) Health care provision and people with learning disabilities: a guide for health professionals. Chichester: John Wiley

Journal articles

• Caring for older adults with learning disabilities.
  Davies, N.
  Nursing Standard. 2008. 20 Feb. 22(24). p42-8.  
  Continuing Professional Development, NS430. Physical and mental health care needs of older adults with learning difficulties. The importance of nurse-patient communication, use of health action plans and the implications of the Mental Capacity Act are discussed. 43 refs.
• Assistant practitioners the lead way.
  Harrison, D; Virden, F.
  Br J Healthcare Assistants. 2011. Aug. 5(8). p409.  
  The role of assistant practitioners in the multidisciplinary Community Learning Disability Team in South Staffordshire and Shropshire. Organisation of revision sessions for staff in use of the Makaton signing programme for communication with patients is described. 2 refs.
• Encountering learning disability in general health settings.
  Barber, C.
  Br J Healthcare Assistants. 2011. Jul. 5(7). p342-4.  
  The provision of general health services for people with intellectual disabilities in primary or secondary care. The need for healthcare assistants to facilitate good interpersonal relations, including the use of communication passports, treat patients as individuals and schedule suitable appointment times is considered. 13 refs.
• Understanding learning disabilities: an introduction.
  Barber, C.
  Br J Healthcare Assistants. 2011. Apr. 5(4). p168-9.  
  1st in a series examining aspects of intellectual disability, focusing on the definition of the term. Prevalence, effectiveness of intelligence quotient (IQ) measurement scales and definitions used in law and in Department of Health policy documents are described. 7 refs.
• Safeguarding vulnerable adults.
  Peate, I; Potterton, J.
  Br J Healthcare Assistants. 2011. Jan. 5(1). p8-11.  
  The role of healthcare assistants in the protection of vulnerable adults. Definitions of the term, the law and relevant government policy, recognition and indications of abuse and other reasons why concerns may be reported are described. A diagram of stages in raising and escalating concerns for vulnerable adults is included. 10 refs.

Online resources

The website for the leading charity MENCAP has information available for health care professionals working with people who have learning disabilities. Go to www.mencap.org.uk/all-about-learning-disability/information-professionals