Learning Disability Nursing: Task and Finish Group Report for the Professional and Advisory Board for Nursing and Midwifery - DH

Abstract

This brief report presents expert opinion on key issues, and potential solutions concerning the diminishing numbers of learning disability nurses in England. It highlights the difficulties in reliably identifying the national supply and demand for learning disability nurses, and consequently the number of student places being commissioned. It also reports on the number and geographical spread of education and training courses, and key issues associated with clinical placements and presents as problematic the non - strategic way in which this specialist part of the National Health Service workforce is being commissioned, planned and managed. It discusses the plurality of service models and providers in which learning disability nurses now practise arguing that workforce, education, career and leadership issues need to be urgently addressed to ensure that efficient use is made of their knowledge and skills, and that without this it is difficult to see how a compromised workforce can be avoided (Gates, 2011).