Emphasising the essential role of the learning disability nurse in acute care: a case study.

Why you should read this article: • To reflect on the vital advocacy role of learning disability nurses in challenging assumptions and supporting equitable care in acute hospital settings • To recognise the effect of diagnostic overshadowing, a lack of family involvement and the absence of clinical...

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Publicado en:Learning Disability Practice Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 17 - 25
Autor principal: Clapham, Anthony
Formato: case study pictorial Journal Article
Publicado: Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom (The) Aug2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Emphasising the essential role of the learning disability nurse in acute care: a case study.
      aug:
        au: Clapham, Anthony
        affil: Community Learning Disabilities Team Leader, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, South Ayrshire, Scotland
      sug:
        subj:
          Persons with Disabilities Psychosocial Factors
          Intellectual Disability Psychosocial Factors
          Intellectual Disability Nursing
          Registered Nurses
          Nursing Role
          Hospitals
          Patient Admission
          Health Services Needs and Demand
          United Kingdom
          Male
          Adrenoleukodystrophy
          Nurses
          Self-Advocacy
          Length of Stay
          Health Inequities
          Personnel Retention
          Male
      ab: Why you should read this article: • To reflect on the vital advocacy role of learning disability nurses in challenging assumptions and supporting equitable care in acute hospital settings • To recognise the effect of diagnostic overshadowing, a lack of family involvement and the absence of clinical curiosity in the care of patients with learning disabilities and complex needs • To reinforce the argument for supporting the acute learning disability liaison nurse role as being essential to person-centred care. Despite well-documented ongoing national efforts to improve experiences and outcomes for people with learning disabilities in acute hospitals across the UK, significant care failings persist. The role of the registered learning disability nurse, particularly the acute learning disability liaison nurse, remains central to addressing these inequities. This case study explores the experience of one individual with profound learning disabilities and complex health needs, whose presentation during multiple hospital admissions was misinterpreted, leading to suboptimal care. The case demonstrates the challenges of diagnostic overshadowing, dismissal of family advocacy and a lack of clinical curiosity. The learning disability liaison nurse's role in advocating for person-centred, informed and reflective practice in acute care is emphasised throughout. This article encourages learning disability nurses to continue supporting acute care colleagues to think critically and holistically and reinforces the urgent need to retain the learning disability nursing workforce.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        case study
        pictorial
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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