Learning Disability Nursing: Equity of Access and Outcome

Project Overview

The Equity of Access and Outcome Project focuses on the future role of RNLDs in supporting people with a learning disability to achieve the best health possible. In 2022, the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) commissioned NIPEC to establish a Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities (RNLD) – Strategic Workforce Development Project Group to take forward the outworking of the Department of Health (DoH) Review of Learning Disabilities Nursing (2019). It was agreed that the Project Group should also take into account of outstanding actions from the Department of Health Northern Ireland Action Plan (2014) .  The project was been taken forward by  a regional group which was co-chaired by the Linda Kelly, Chief Executive, NIPEC and Suzanne Pullins, Executive Director of Nursing, Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

In August 2024, the final report of the project group ‘Equity of Access and Outcome: the future role of RNLDs in supporting people with a learning disability to achieve the best health possible’ was endorsed by CNO and approved  by the Health Minister. The report proposes a model for the future of RNLD Nursing and includes a range of recommendations, aligned to CNO’s Vision for the professions of Nursing and Midwifery (June 2023). The report was formally launched by the Health Minister 1 November 2024. 

In December 2022 at the request of the Co-chairs the RNLD Expert Reference Group (ERG) was established. It  recognised a number of the recommendations stemming from the ‘Equity of Access and Outcome for people with a Learning Disability Report’, sit naturally within certain organisations. Allocation of lead organisations aligned to recommendations are agreed by CNOs office. The ERG group continues to meet to help take forward and implement particular recommendations as agreed by CNOs office through the development of an implementation plan.

The ERG is chaired by Professor Owen Barr, University of Ulster and Julie- Anne Colvin, Nurse Consultant Mental Health and Learning Disability Team Public Health Agency (PHA). The ERG is supported by a NIPEC. Membership includes individuals from a range of relevant organisations and sectors across the system including the DoH RNLD Nursing Officer.

RNLD Communities of Practice (CoP)

The CoP is open to all Registered Learning Disabilities Nurses and other nurses who have an interest in supporting people with learning disabilities – across all settings to include HSC Trusts, the education sector and the independent/voluntary sector . The RNLD CoP is Co-chaired by two senior RNLDs, Clionagh McElhinney Trainee RNLD Consultant Nurse, Western Health and Social Care Trust  and Angela McCallan Trainee Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

The COP events are promoted in advance on NIPEC social media.

Resources

Contact

Senior Professional Officer for this project: Linda Kelly