For people with learning disabilities, accessing specialist healthcare can often be challenging, particularly when services are not designed to meet their unique needs. Through innovation, compassion, and unwavering commitment, Susan Craig, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Respiratory and Learning Disability within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has transformed respiratory care for individuals with learning disabilities, improving health outcomes and quality of life for patients and their families.
Recognising that respiratory conditions remain one of the leading causes of poor health and mortality among people with learning disabilities, Susan has worked to bridge the gap between respiratory and learning disability services.
Susan undertook extensive work to understand the respiratory health needs of the learning disability population across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Identifying a significant disparity, she discovered that traditional diagnostic pathways often excluded people who were unable to complete standard respiratory tests, leaving many without formal diagnoses or appropriate treatment.
Rather than accepting these barriers, Susan sought solutions. She immersed herself in respiratory services, building relationships with consultants, physiotherapists, and multidisciplinary teams. This commitment enabled her to develop innovative approaches that ensured patients could receive the respiratory assessments and interventions they needed.
One of Susan's most significant achievements has been the creation of a specialist respiratory clinic tailored to people with learning disabilities. This service, where reasonable adjustments are embedded into every stage of care, means patients who previously struggled to access respiratory support can now attend specialist clinics where assessments, diagnostics, and treatment planning are delivered in a way that meets their individual needs.
Susan also collaborated with services locally and nationally to develop a dedicated pathway within specialist learning disability services, ensuring timely access to suctioning equipment and ongoing support, reducing stress for families and enabling individuals to remain safely at home whenever possible.
Through innovation, leadership, and a relentless focus on equality, Susan has created a sustainable service that is transforming respiratory care for people with learning disabilities. Her work is reducing barriers, preventing avoidable hospital admissions, empowering families, and improving lives.
Find out more about Scottish Learning Disability Week at www.ScotLDWeek.com
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