Supporting patients with a learning disability

• Improve the quality of care received by people with learning disabilities.
• Collaborate with hospital services, primary care providers such as GP and pharmacy, community learning disability and specialist services, social services and further public and third sector organisations to ensure effective seamless care.
• Give specialist advice and support for professionals in relation to personalised care and reasonable adjustments.
• Coordinate care and collaborate with the multi-disciplinary team in relation to the assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care from admission to discharge.
• Provide accessible information and actively assist patients with a learning disability and their carers when using hospital services.
• Provide support and advice regarding best interest, consent, advocacy, mental capacity and safeguarding.
• Coordinate and assist in the delivery of learning disability awareness training and further education to professionals to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities.
• Raise the profile of health and care needs of people with learning disabilities across the hospital and secondary care provisions.
• Make sure a high standard of care is provided throughout the patients’ journey.
• Make sure the views of patients with learning disabilities and their carers are taken into account.
• Promote positive experiences and outcomes for patients with learning disabilities and their carers.

People with a learning disability and their carers, who need support, advice and guidance whilst they are accessing services in Medway Maritime Hospital.

Our Learning Disability Nurses are based within the Safeguarding Team and accept referrals from people with learning disabilities and their carers, health and social care professionals, and anyone who is involved in the care of the individual.

You can contact the hospital’s Learning Disability Nurses through the switchboard 01634 830000.