Joeann Flannigan started as a Trainee Nursing Associate in Mental Health services

My journey began as a Trainee Nursing Associate within mental health services.

As part of my training I had spoke placements within the learning disability services.

During this time, I realised the inequality people with a learning disability faced and was horrified to learn that people with a learning disability die younger than the normal population. This is due to physical health problems which are not diagnosed, for example constipation.

After qualifying as a RLDN I began working in a learning disability health facilitation team.

People were not receiving their annual health checks as they were not on the QOF register as having a learning disability.

I decided to top up to become a registered LD nurse as I wanted to support people with a learning disability and promote equality and inclusion.

After qualifying as a RLDN I began working in a learning disability health facilitation team.

We go to GP surgeries and review their LD register`s, then search for people who may have a LD but have not been identified and added to the register. We have been able to find the missing population of people who are 14 years and over, who have a learning disability and should be receiving an annual health check.

We also deliver training to GP practices about the importance of annual health checks and what should be included when carrying them out. We also stress the difference between learning difficulty and learning disability.

We deliver workshops to people with a learning disability, so we can stress to them the importance of having an annual health check, and what to expect during their appointment.

I love my Job and if I can make a difference in just one person's life, then it makes it all worthwhile.