Learning from the past – setting out the future (PDF): Developing learning disability nursing in the United Kingdom (An RCN position statement on the role of the learning disability nurse).

As numbers of children and adults with learning disabilities increase and more people with learning disabilities live into adulthood with a range of complex needs, the need for a clear, focused strategy for nursing becomes all the more important.
Children, young people and adults now present to services with patterns of complex learning disabilities unlike those experienced by existing services. Health care services in the future will experience a higher level of demand from this group and will require a range of important skills and knowledge to respond appropriately.

Learning disability nurses currently play a key role in the lives of many people with learning disabilities. They are involved in developing and implementing care plans as well as providing ongoing advice, education and support to people throughout their lives.

This document from the Royal College of Nursing sets out the key issues and actions required, both now and in the future, to enable learning disability nursing to develop and progress in line with the anticipated increased demand on its services. It contains areas of priority for the RCN.