Learning Disability Week

Learning Disability Week is a time to celebrate inclusion, challenge inequalities and highlight the work happening every day to make healthcare fairer for everyone.

This year, we’re shining a light on our incredible Learning Disability (LD) nursing team, who are part of our Enhanced Health in Care Homes team. They are going above and beyond to ensure people with a learning disability can access life-saving cervical screening.

Removing barriers to essential healthcare

For many people with a learning disability, attending routine health appointments can be challenging. Cervical screening (smear tests) can be difficult due to anxiety, communication barriers, past experiences, or a lack of reasonable adjustments in traditional clinical settings.

Too often, this means people with a learning disability are less likely to attend screening appointments, putting them at greater risk of undiagnosed health conditions.

Our Learning Disability nurses recognised this gap – and took action.

Taking care directly into care homes

Instead of expecting individuals to attend GP surgeries or clinics, our Learning Disability nursing team are bringing cervical screening directly into care homes and the homes of house bound patients.

By visiting people in familiar, comfortable environments, they are:

• Reducing anxiety and distress
• Building trust with patients over time
• Working closely with care staff and families
• Providing clear, accessible information about the procedure
• Ensuring consent and understanding at every stage

“For some of the people we support, attending a clinic can feel overwhelming or even frightening. By going to them, in a place where they feel safe, we can completely change that experience.” Leanne Pruden, Learning Disability Nurse

This personalised approach helps people feel safe, respected and in control of their care.

Making reasonable adjustments

Every visit is tailored to the individual. This might include:

• Spending extra time to explain the procedure step-by-step
• Using easy-read materials or visual aids
• Offering multiple visits to build confidence before the test
• Adapting communication styles to meet individual needs

These reasonable adjustments make a difference, transforming a potentially overwhelming experience into one that is supportive and empowering.

Improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities

By taking screening into care homes, our Learning Disability nurses are helping to address a long-standing health inequality.

Early detection through cervical screening saves lives. Ensuring people with a learning disability have equal access to this care is a vital step towards:

• Reducing avoidable illness
• Improving long-term health outcomes
• Delivering truly inclusive healthcare

Celebrating compassionate, person-centred care

This work is a powerful example of person-centred care in action, meeting people where they are, listening to their needs, and adapting services to ensure no one is left behind.

“Seeing someone who was initially anxious go on to successfully have their screening is incredibly rewarding. It’s about dignity, respect and giving people choice.” Sam Wordsworth, Learning Disability Nurse

During Learning Disability Week, we’re proud to recognise our Learning Disability nurses for their dedication, compassion and innovation.

Their work is not only improving access to screening, it’s helping to build a healthcare system that works for everyone.