RCN Wales publishes paper calling for more Learning Disability Nurses in Wales

Learning Disability Nursing highlights the important role of the learning disability nurse in supporting people with learning disabilities.

RCN Wales has today published a paper, Learning Disability Nursing, highlighting the important role of the learning disability nurse in supporting people with learning disabilities. The paper calls for more learning disability consultant nurses in Wales.

The life expectancy of women with a learning disabilities is 18 years shorter than a woman in the general population and for a man its 14 years shorter. Many people with a learning disability also have long-term health needs: 46% of people experiencing seven or more long-term conditions. Approximately 98% of people with a learning disability have been prescribed medication, and the average number of medications a person with learning disabilities is prescribed is 6.2.

Helen Whyley RCN Wales Director said:

“Learning Disability Nurses work with some of the most vulnerable, complex, isolated individuals in our society. People with a Learning Disability often present to services with a range of physical, psychological and social difficulties which need specialist, skilled, compassionate healthcare. Failure to properly invest in Learning Disability Nursing will further increase the health inequalities these individuals already experience. The role of learning disability nursing is crucial to ensure that people with a learning disability are provided with parity of esteem in all aspects of healthcare and to prevent avoidable deaths. The role of the learning disability nurse should be celebrated and valued for the compassionate highly skilled role it is.”