Our Networks and

Communities of Practice

UK Learning Disability Consultant Nurse Network (UKLDCNN)

Founded in September 2020 by Christine Hutchinson, Colin Beacock, Debra Moore and Tim Riding, the UK Learning Disability Consultant Nurse Network meets three times per year, two one day meetings virtually and one two day in person meeting.

We connect with three other Consultant Nurse Networks for Autism; Mental Health and Children & Young People’s Mental Health. Our members have positions on various other nations groups and meetings representing the UKLDCNN and providing learning disability nursing leadership at a senior strategic level.

2025 Officers:

Co-Chairs: Jessica Lister; Rachel Mills Michelle Curran

Founding member, Secretary and Treasurer: Christine Hutchinson

Any consultant nurse who can confirm their job plan and requirements meet the consultant nurse post guidelines can join. In May 2025 we have 58 consultant nurse members. In addition we have 12 associate members who support our work including the heads of learning disability nursing for each of the four UK countries.

Intellectual/Learning Disability Nurse Community of Practice (ILDNCoP)

Establish by Amy Hodkin in 2025 as a grassroots movement to bring Learning Disability Nurses from across the country together through an on line network.

ILDNCoP Lead: Amy Hodkin

To join contact Amy and complete a membership form

North West Learning Disability Nursing Network (NWLDNN)

Establish by Mike Dignan in the 1990’s as part of a national movement to establish and connect learning disability nursing networks in every region under the umbrella of the National Network for Learning Disability Nursing (NNLDN).

The NWLDNN has maintained a level of connectivity for learning disability nurses across the North West. It provides an annual event in partnership with Edge Hill University and has a structure of 3 LDN Forum (matching ICB footprints) which meet more often.

NWLDNN Leads: Dave Williams, Joann Kiernan & Christine Hutchinson

Lancashire and South Cumbria LDN Forum leads: Tracey Hartley Smith & Christopher Upton

Cheshire and Mersey Forum LDN leads: Maxine Rigby & Ross Sheridan

Greater Manchester Forum Lead: Dave Williams

Any Registered Learning Disability Nurse, Registered Nurse Associate, Student, Trainee or Apprentice Learning Disability Nurse can join the network.

Royal College Of Nursing Learning Disability Nursing Forum

A specific forum for Royal College of Nursing members to connect Learning Disability Nurses, lobby the RCN and government on learning disability matters and further learning disability nursing as a profession.

The forum is led by a elected committee and includes the RCNs Lead for Learning Disability Nursing Jonathan Beebee.

For more information see here https://www.rcn.org.uk/Get-Involved/Forums/Learning-Disability-Nursing-Forum

South East Learning Disability Nurse Workforce & Education Community of Practice

Established with support from NHS England this community of practice meets four times per year providing an opportunity to collaborate and share initiatives to secure the future of Learning Disability Nursing for the South East of England.

CoP leads: Daisy Hack & Andrea Curling

To join contact Daisy Hack (Learning Disability Nurse Development Lead- Sussex Partnership NHS Trust): daisy.hack@nhs.net