Learning Disability and Autism Service
Our Services
The Learning Disability and Autism Service (LDA) Lead Nurse is responsible for three key elements: clinical patient care; education and practice development; and strategic organisational development. As well as reviewing patients and providing continued support and guidance to ward staff, the LDA Lead Nurse is also responsible for all strategic work, facilitating outpatients appointments, providing training, developing the service and reporting on the service development on a regular basis. Clinical cover for the service is provided by one specialist nurse.
The LDA team provides support to wards and departments to understand the health needs of people with learning disabilities and/or Autism and support them to meet them equally and effectively. The overall aim is to avoid inequality in healthcare and premature deaths of people with learning disabilities and to provide direct support and guidance in how to deliver care to people with learning disabilities, autism or both who use their services, in a way that takes account of their rights, unique needs and health vulnerabilities; adjustments to how services are delivered are tailored to each person’s individual needs. This includes ensuring staff have been trained in learning disabilities and autism awareness, health issues associated with learning disabilities, supporting people with challenging needs, safeguarding, human rights and mental capacity and best interests. It also includes identifying, developing, implementing and utilising strategies to ensure the success of the above.
The LDA Team at Kettering General Hospital is a resource available to all clinical teams caring for patients with a Learning Disability and/or Autism. The service exists to provide specialist advice and support which complements the care provided by the patient’s own clinical teams.
Our Background
NHS England and NHS Improvement LD Standards (2018) state that it has been widely recognised that some people with learning disabilities, autism or both encounter difficulties when accessing NHS services and can have much poorer experiences than the general population.
it is widely recognised that this patient group requires specialist knowledge and skill to support. The aim is to ensure that people with learning disabilities are able to access mainstream services with specialist input available to ensure they receive the high standard of healthcare they are entitled to. KGH is an inclusive trust and specialist support is essential to ensure staff are providing an equitable service.
Our Team
Leanne Farmer - Learning Disability and Autism Lead Nurse