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7 Briggs report suggests change from nursing to social care for people with learning disabilities 1972 100th anniversary of learning disability nursing celebrates the unique contribution of learning disability nurses 2019 Valuing People strategy aims to enable people with learning disabilities to live full and independent lives and highlights key role of nurses 2001 The role of a learning disability nurse The emphasis on caring for people with learning disability has greatly changed since the beginning of nurse training. The learning disability (LD) nurse works within a range of environments – in acute and day hospitals, people’s homes and local communities. As a profession we are diverse as individuals and we support people from their early years following a diagnosis to the end of their life. LD nursing is different from other nursing as it’s about enabling the person to reach their full potential. We work in partnership with people with learning disabilities, their families and carers to give them the skills that will enable them to lead a more independent life irrespective of age, abilities, behaviours and lifestyles. We have specialist skills – we must be versatile, adaptable, dynamic, holistic and ready to take on all aspects of health. We work with families and other disciplines to provide health screening, carry out annual health checks and develop programmes for a healthier life style, making reasonable adjustments to ensure health needs are met. The LD nurse actively challenges inequality in the life of a person with learning disabilities to ensure they have the same rights to health as you and I. Lesley Tierney Acute Learning Disability Liaison Nurse Staff at Baldovan Asylum (latterly Strathmartine Hospital) c1940 Dundee Community Learning Disability Team