Mitchell Richards says that if you get it right for a person with a learning disability, you get it right for everyone
Having to go to hospital is pretty frightening for everyone. I can’t imagine anyone looks forward to it, even if it’s planned.
When admitted, I want everyone to have the same level care as I would get.
I want this for all my patients, but I also want it for my brother, Nathan. We come as a duo. Everything we do is “half each”. He just happens to have a learning disability.
Improving understanding
I’ve always been passionate about providing excellent care for people with a learning disability but when I started my nurse training at Swansea University in 2016 I chose to study mental health to broaden my knowledge.
I still wanted to share my knowledge and experience with others though, and I was determined to champion the needs of individuals with a learning disability across all health care sectors.
I believe basic information on how to communicate with and care for people with a learning disability needs to be taught on all university courses and included in our mandatory training.
It’s so important to ensure students have a better understanding of how to care for and communicate with this group of patients.
Information on how to communicate with and care for people with a learning disability needs to be taught on all university courses
Making reasonable adjustments
In the same year I started my nurse training I also met the founders of the Paul Ridd Foundation. They established the charity in memory of their own brother who had a learning disability and was failed by the system.
They shared my desire to educate others about making reasonable adjustments for people with a learning disability.
They were already promoting the learning disability champion programme in hospital wards but there was nothing for nursing students.
This needed to be addressed. There are thousands of nursing students out there and it would be so helpful to get them onboard as go-to people on wards right at the start of their careers.
I supported the foundation in delivering the programme to nursing students for the very first time. I was thrilled to find that my fellow students in Swansea were enthusiastic about this.
We ran training sessions every few months and the places were always filled. It was such a success Swansea University has now pledged to train every nursing student as a learning disability champion, with training sessions currently taking place online.
Swansea University has now pledged to train every nursing student as a learning disability champion
I have also worked with the Paul Ridd Foundation to develop e-learning materials which are available through the NHS e-learning portal.
Supporting the foundation is fun too, and I love organising big events for them. Last year we completed the Welsh Three Peaks challenge and raised £3,600. It was hard work organising it – the bus, accommodation, the fundraising and of course, climbing Wales’s three highest mountains in one day. But doing it was the best.
Nathan wanted to get involved too but has some trouble with his feet so couldn’t do the whole thing. But he came to north Wales with us as a supporter and climbed to the top of the last mountain (Pen y Fan) where we all had a rousing reception. It was a big achievement for him – everyone clapped him in, which was a special moment.
Working life
Since finishing my course, I’m now working in an assessment unit providing treatment for patients with a learning disability and for those with mental health issues.
What I do doesn’t feel like a job - I love doing this. But there is so much to do. I want to build on educating others. I want to defeat the stigma and keep reminding people that learning disabilities are everyone’s business.
My next challenge is to work on e-learning packages for all NHS staff.
I honestly believe that if you look after the most vulnerable, you’ll ensure that no-one slips through the net. If you take this approach you can enhance your own life and the lives of those around you.
Living and working through a pandemic
The changes have been dramatic for people living with a learning disability.
As staff we’re following the Welsh government guidelines to keep patients as safe as possible.
But seeing us wearing PPE, and face masks in particular, has presented another barrier to communication. We’re now looking at using clear face masks as we want to minimise the impact on people being able to express their needs.
Understanding the concept of a pandemic can be very hard for people with a learning disability. We’ve had to adapt quickly. Video calling has helped some who've been anxious about being separated from their families.
Others have missed their regular routines, such as going out for a coffee once a week. One patient has been particularly affected. To reduce his anxiety about this, he now goes to the new coffee machine instead, and uses Costa cups we managed to source. It’s not perfect, but it does help.
Whether or not we’re living through a pandemic, we all just need to remember that people with a learning disability are the same as us. Yes, they have different needs – but we all do.
Put yourself in their shoes and make sure you actively listen when they are concerned.
It’s difficult for people with a learning disability to understand the world around them, now more than ever, so be aware, be patient, and be generous with your time.
The work that Mitchell has been involved in is superb. We certainly need many more like him championing the needs of people who have a learning disability
Award winner
Mitchell won the nursing student award in the RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards 2019.
“Winning the award was so overwhelming but in all honesty I didn’t expect it because I’m always doing this kind of stuff as I enjoy it. It was so special to share the award with Nathan,” he says.
The Paul Ridd Foundation
Established in 2016, the Paul Ridd Foundation was created to support people with a learning disability and their families and carers when needing secondary health care. Their aim is to make a difference for people with a learning disability by raising general awareness of the issues they face when accessing good health care.
