Diabetes - learning disabilities

‘Healthcare for All’ published in 2008, highlighted continuing difficulties of access to assessment and treatment for people with learning disabilities. This, combined with other factors can mean that the potential for delayed diagnosis of diabetes in people with learning disabilities is greater - see Healthcare for all: report of the independent inquiry into access to health. See also: Easy read version (PDF 1008KB) [see how to access PDF files].

General policies and strategies to support people with learning disabilities across the UK, and other sources of information, are described in the RCN Social inclusion resource – see Learning disabilities - policy.

You may also want to refer to information about national standards and guidance across the UK.

The resources below were last accessed on 31 October 2012. Some of them are in PDF format – see how to access PDF files.

Department of Health (2009) Improving the patient experience: sharing success in mental health and learning disabilities - the King's Fund's Enhancing the Healing Environment programme
The King's Fund's Enhancing the Healing Environment, is a nurse-led environmental improvement programme. Following the success of initial projects in London, the programme was extended to 69 Trusts in England including acute, mental health, learning disability and primary care trusts.

Department of Health (2009) Health Action Planning and Health Facilitation for people with learning disabilities: good practice guidance
This update of guidance first published in 2002 was produced in the light of further reports highlighting poor health outcomes and inequalities in care for people with learning disabilities and to reflect the emphasis in the NHS Next Stage Review on more personalised services as a hallmark of high quality care for all. The guidance describes and clarifies good practice in health facilitation and health action planning drawing on research, best practice and the experience of people who attended focused workshops. This guidance needs to be read alongside the 2002 document.
See also: Department of Health (2002) Action for health, health action plans and health facilitation detailed good practice guidance on implementation for learning disability partnership boards

Department of Health (2007) Good practice in learning disability nursing
Learning disability nurses (LDNs) play a vital role in helping to respond to the healthcare and other needs of people with learning disabilities. This guidance aims to highlight how their contribution can be made even more effective in the future.

Easy Health: Diabetes leaflets
The Easy Health website provides resources from different organisations that present health information in easy to understand and eye-catching format, using simple words, photos, symbols and pictures. There is a range of information on diabetes. See also: Diabetes - videos.

NHS Diabetes: Areas of Care: mental health and learning difficulties
This page is aimed at commissioners and providers of diabetes care. It brings together guidance, policy, commissioning guides, links to care pathways and examples of how services can be improved for people with diabetes.

Royal College of Nursing (2010) Dignity in health care for people with learning disabilities (PDF 1,117KB)
This publication aims to improve dignity in health care for people with learning disabilities. Whilst it is designed primarily to support the nursing workforce, other health care and social care staff may also find it a useful resource. It focuses on the experiences of people with learning disabilities, areas for improvement in relation to dignity, practical ideas on what nurses can do to improve dignity and sources of further information and support. It also includes information relating to the particular health needs that people with learning disabilities may have, and provides guidance on working in collaboration with other service providers.

Royal College of Nursing (2011) Meeting the health needs of people with learning disabilities 2nd.ed (PDF 1.68MB)
The guide defines learning disabilities, outlines some specific health needs and explains relevant legislation, which includes obtaining consent. The guide also details specialist services, how to support people accessing services and lists a number of helpful resources and organisations.

Royal College of Nursing (2010) Mental health nursing of adults with learning disabilities (PDF 472.05KB)
This guidance looks at how adults with learning disabilities are presented and are assessed and treated. It gives examples of good practice and partnership working and will help nurses have a better understanding of the mental health needs and communication needs of people with learning disabilities.

SCIE: Adults with learning disabilities
SCIE's resources for adults with learning disabilities aim to demonstrate innovative ways of working with people with learning disabilities so that they can be helped to achieve their personal goals. There are also resources for children and young people with learning disabilities.

See other specific contexts and populations.