This reflective and evidence-based book will equip students as well as professionals who work with people with learning disabilities in primary, secondary and specialist healthcare settings, with the knowledge and skills they need to work effectively with people with learning disabilities. Chapters - written by leading academics and practitioners in the learning disabilities field - examine and discuss core issues, while a case-study approach ensures a solid grounding in practical skills. This practical element is further reinforced by the inclusion of service-user and practitioner ′voices′, whose lived experiences make the book even more engaging, as well as a range of reflective exercises and regular opportunities for readers to self-audit their learning. Reflecting the multi-professional nature of services for people with learning disabilities, this book will help practitioners and students make a real difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities who access health and social care environments.

Services for People with Learning Disabilities provides a broad review of available services for people with learning disabilities. It describes the present network of services and explains the NHS and Community Care Act (1990) in terminoloy accessible to health care professionals and others engaged in this area. It looks in detail at the concepts underpinning new legislation, including care-management and assessment, quality and inspection, and inter-agency planning, and it supplies up-to-date information on current topics such as advocacy and empowerment, and recreation and leisure. An invaluable resource for all practitioners in health and community care, Services for People with Learning Disabilities will also give professionals and carers a much greater understanding of the changes and improvements that are still needed.

Many practitioners within health and social care come into contact with people with intellectual disabilities and want to work in ways that are beneficial to them by making reasonable adjustments in order to meet clients’ needs and expectations. Yet the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities continues to be a neglected area, where unnecessary suffering and premature deaths continue to prevail. This text provides a comprehensive insight into intellectual disability healthcare. It is aimed at those who are training in the field of intellectual disability nursing and also untrained practitioners who work in both health and social care settings. Divided into five sections, it explores how a wide range of biological, health, psychological and social barriers impact upon people with learning disability, and includes: Six guiding principles used to adjust, plan and develop meaningful and accessible health and social services Assessment, screening and diagnosis of intellectual disability across the life course Addressing lifelong health needs Psychological and psychotherapeutic issues, including sexuality, behavioural and mental health needs, bereavement, and ethical concerns. The changing professional roles and models of meeting the needs of people with intellectual and learning disabilities. Intellectual Disability in Health and Social Care provides a wide-ranging overview of what learning disability professionals’ roles are and provides insight into what health and social care practitioners might do to assist someone with intellectual disabilities when specific needs arise.

General Hospital Care for People with Learning Disabilities is a comprehensive resource for those health professionals in a general hospital setting who may come into contact with people with learning disabilities. The book explores the nature of learning disabilities and highlights specific healthcare needs. It takes the reader through all the key factors in the healthcare process, through pre-admission assessment, care planning, intervention and treatment, and liaison and discharge planning, while highlighting key healthcare needs at each stage. The Department of Health, the National Health Service Executive and Mencap have all reported that people with learning disabilities have increased health needs compared to the general population, yet these needs are often poorly met and people experience difficulties in accessing appropriate services. This is a timely and accessible resource for healthcare professionals in need of a general introduction to caring for people with a learning disability. Relevant to the care of both children and adults with a learning disability Use of case studies to illustrate examples of situations explored in the main text Focuses on key areas of communication, understanding behavior and the often difficult area of consent

Choice and equity of access to primary and secondary health care services is a priority within all aspects of the NHS, however it must be recognised that for some people access to health care can pose difficulties. For various reasons people with learning disabilities can present a range of challenges for the people around them, during times of ill health any difficulties will become ever more apparent. For the health professional working in mainstream primary and secondary care settings, these challenges can be difficult to overcome when attempting to identify health needs and deliver holistic care that is responsive to their individual needs. Health Care Provision and People with Learning Disabilities - A Guide for Health Professionals provides clear information that will assist mainstream health care providers in gaining greater understanding of people with learning disabilities and managing their health needs. Each chapter gives the reader information and guidance on dealing with a variety of situations found in health care settings. Examples of good practice are explained using case examples and experiences of people with learning disabilities and their carers. The book describes what is expected from the various health care teams and offers solutions to potential challenges and barriers they may be faced with. It includes information regarding specialist support services that can offer assistance to the individual and to the mainstream staff teams, while ideas are also offered on how to present information in a format people who have communication difficulties can understand. The evidence base for Health Care Provision and People with Learning Disabilities - A Guide for Health Professionals has been drawn from extensive research, personal experience, policy guidance, as well as some of the current legislation that is applicable to this diverse group of people. The information shared will prove useful for those working in health settings as well as those undertaking studies in health care.

We all worry about going into hospital. For people with intellectual disabilities there is the added fear of not being able to explain what is wrong, as well as not understanding what is happening. This book is designed to support patients like Martin and Mary, who are shown going into hospital, by explaining what happens to them there. Martin is having a planned operation and Mary is admitted as an emergency. Feelings, information and consent are all addressed. Ideally this book should be used to prepare someone before he or she goes into hospital. It will also be invaluable to hospital staff to use during consultations and before treatments, and to understand the needs of people with intellectual disabilities.

It has long been known that people with learning disabilities have poorer health than the¬ general population, but the extent of these differences becomes striking when considering the evidence of reduced life expectancy. In 2013 the Confidential Inquiry into the Premature Deaths of People with Learning Disabilities reported that men typically die 13 years younger and women 20 years younger than the general population. In 42% of cases the death was considered premature. The reasons for this lower life expectancy are varied but what we do know is this group are two and a half times more likely to have multiple health needs than other people, and often have difficulties accessing health services or receiving appropriate treatment from clinicians. As well as looking at the challenges of accessing healthcare and navigating care pathways, this -handbook presents a practical guide to the most common conditions and health needs, with chapters written by experts in those conditions and their relationship to learning disabilities. A range of issues are covered, including mental health, cancer, epilepsy, respiratory and swallowing problems, and poor sight and hearing. The book aims to increase awareness and knowledge of how these conditions and issues present themselves, as well as how they can be prevented in the first place, and best practice in assessment and treatment. It will therefore be a valuable resource for families, support workers and health professionals.