Sarah Bartlett - Thinking Out Loud
Thinking out loud – the musings of a learning disability nurse
I was recently asked if I would like to write something about what I believe the future of learning disability nursing has in store, for the launch of this brilliant new initiative for our profession. An honour and a much-needed distraction in these most unusual of times.
In short, after much thought, more of the same is what I hope for. The holistic emotionally attuned spirit of the contemporary learning disability nurse has its own brand of under-sung magic, yet I don’t think it requires anyone but itself to sing for it if the truth be told. Personally, In my 20th year of never tiring of being part of this field of nursing with its rich tapestry of experience of the human condition, the different teams and people, personal professional growth, learning from the mistakes, the reading and studying, lots of reflection, travel across the country and the variety of settings and roles….
Like I said, more of the same is what I hope for us all.
Yet of course we must ensure our visibility is balanced as to attract those who are seeking this type of healthcare career, which is why it is so vitally important for those of us who do thrive in this field of nursing, to promote and talk about it. Often.
Sarah Bartlett
"...it is so vitally important for those of us who do thrive in this field of nursing, to promote and talk about it. Often."
Taking a look into the future, my first instinct is that LD Nursing needs to take ownership of its identity and I’d like to see a clear distinction of who we are, come into focus. A move away from being those additions to a clinical governance agenda where we don’t quite fit in or having to have some wild imagination as to match the realities of our nursing practice in a generic training session. That when we arrive, the integrity of what we know, do and offer as practitioners is solidly understood and respected. This is getting better, however maybe the over thought and explanation in trying to fit the nursing mould is part of the charm…
The current themes across the health and social care economy which I think we will continue to naturally give our service too are that of personalised human rights driven healthcare, primary care network and acute liaison, Intensive and positive behaviour support, healthcare interventions for those with profound and multiple learning disabilities and technology dependence, positive risk taking, promoting advocacy, commissioning of services, service redesign and adaption, home environment assessment, emotional support for families and carers, STOMP & STAMP, mental healthcare, physical healthcare, autism, epilepsy, sexual health, health promotion and then our style of nursing for general & mental healthcare is not to be underestimated either, personable, dignified and empathy led care. Amongst our Consultants nurses we have a vast amount of specific expertise and experience, that can offer not only clinical expertise yet also that much sort after strategic healthcare leadership, which is where I see many heading. The options for people with learning disabilities and autism especially as we are needing to expand innovative community based bespoke care options has grown surmountably and the social care enterprises I have seen come into fruition as we’ve been developing the marketplace from a Transforming Care perspective, has been great to see, I also like where learning disability nursing can enhance the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and all training and education of health and social care staff across all systems & settings.
There is much of the right type of healthcare support for people with learning disabilities and autism needing to be enhanced and kept alive with vibrancy, innovation and expertise. This is where the future is.
Sarah Bartlett