Learning Disability An Awareness Learning Disability Liaison Team

Learning Disability – An Awareness Learning Disability Liaison Team Nottingham University Hospital 0115 924 9924 Ext. 62562

Who are we? • Learning Disability specialist trained. • Wealth of experience of working with people who have a Learning Disability. • Team of 3 Nurses and 4 support workers. • Based at QMC and City. • Office hours 9 -5

Why are we in post?

This is Martin……. “Martin was often smiling – he loved to go out, liked the movement of the coach and listening to the music. When he was young, he liked being in our car as well. He loved getting behind the wheel and turning it around” “Martin will always be the light of my life. He had a quirky sense of humour and oodles of charm”.

What is a learning disability? • “A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, or learn new skills (impaired intelligence) with; A reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning); Which started before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development. (DOH 2001)” A difficulty with: • Comprehension • Expression • Attention • Perception • Short term memory • Coping with change

What we are here for…… • To support people with a LD and staff during their acute health episode. • To ensure “Reasonable Adjustments” are made. • To provide training to NUH staff, and support on the ward. • To liaise with outside agencies and healthcare professionals. • To work strategically and advise on LD needs within policy and procedure.

Examples of Reasonable Adjustments • Arrange pre-admission visits. • Allow extra of time / staff to support. • Consider first or last appointments or surgery times. • Appropriate equipment to hand (and know how to use it). • Communicate in a way that the patient, carers and other relevant health professionals. • Explain what is happening as a matter of routine. • Read and follow advice in the Hospital Traffic Light Assessment or advice sheets.

Tools to help you!

Traffic Light Assessment • A tool to assist you support people with LD. • Red Section – must know information. • Amber – how to support me. • Green – my likes and dislikes. • 3 pages of very important information to help you to help others.

Risk, dependency and support assessment tool • Designed to identify risks to a patient with learning disabilities whilst in an acute hospital setting. Both physical and risks which will prevent recovery. • A framework to assist in deciding if an additional support is needed to reduce risk during a hospital stay and to identify the person or agency that is best able to provide that support. • Risk, Dependency and Support Assessment is to be used by the nurse in charge of the ward alongside the patient and those who know the patient best (e. g. paid support staff, family members or advocates).

Things that make it easier • If carers are present ensure their needs are attended to (e. g. , a comfortable chair, assurance that the patient will be safe if the carer needs to take a break, give them a drink etc. ). • Being more informal can help. • Moving the person from a busy environment if possible can decrease anxiety and confusion levels. • Explain hospital routines and procedures to reduce stress. • Be aware that everyone is an individual. • Listen to carers advice.

Contact Details Learning Disability Liaison Team Nottingham University Hospital 0115 924 9924 Ext. 62562 George Badiali Daniella Rubio-Mayer Shelly Hancock