<p> T he conference, which built on a similar event held last year in London, aimed to raise awareness of the needs of people with learning disabilities – with specific reference to physical health and epilepsy in general practice. The audience was made up from a range of professionals, including GPs, clinicians and nurses.</p>
The author argues that nurses should adopt a health promotion role with people who have learning disabilities. This will enable them to build partnerships with patients and develop caring relationships.
The author argues that nurses should adopt a health promotion role with people who have learning disabilities. This will enable them to build partnerships with patients and develop caring relationships.
<p>This article offers some initial thoughts on the role of the health facilitator, which was highlighted in the Valuing People White Paper (Department of Health 2001a). It will discuss how services are putting the role into operation and propose two different levels of facilitation. The article will also consider what prevents access to health care and what is meant by facilitation. Although the White Paper pinpoints co-ordination of the health action plan as a key function for the health facilitator, this article will focus primarily on the role itself.</p>
<p>Few studies have examined the experiences of practice nurses with people with learning disabilities and the training they require to manage this challenging client group. The practice nurse can have a key role in maintaining and monitoring the health needs of people with learning disabilities but may require assistance from the specialist practitioner to do so effectively.</p>
