Strengthening primary care

Article Abstract:

Guidance for health services produced by the NHS Executive in 1992 calls for barriers to access to services for people with learning disabilities to be minimised, while a 1996 report, 'Primary Care; The Future', points out that primary health care teams should prepare themselves to cater for a wider range of needs. Learning disability nurses have an important role to play as the focus shifts to a primary-care-led National Health Service. However learning disability nurses face a not inconsiderable challenge in ensuring that people with learning disabilities benefit from generic health services.

Medical care, Political aspects

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Pain signals

Article Abstract:

People with severe learning disabilities display a wide range of unusual responses to pain. Nurses working with mentally handicapped people need to be alert to signs of distress as the outcome could be fatal. They should be particularly aware of non-verbal communication and physiological signs. One study indicated that 25% of the learning disabled community would have abnormal experience of pain. Some are truly insensitive to pain whilst others cannot evaluate the sensation of pain. People may also lack the words to express pain, or they may have developed the continual use of pain signals.

Diagnosis, Pain

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A healthier future

Article Abstract:

South Bedfordshire Community Healthcare NHS Trust has developed a strategy for improving the health of people with learning disabilities which includes offering a screening to each adult with a learning disability every two years. Height, weight and blood pressure measurement and urinalysis are included in the screening. Health care for adults with a learning disability is delivered through ordinary services as far as practicable, but portable screening equipment is being introduced for people for whom attending clinics is particularly difficult.

Management, Preventive health services, Preventive medicine

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