Our Aims

It is widely recognised that people with learning disabilities have a greater number of health problems than the majority of the population and are more likely to be admitted to hospital. In addition:

1,200 people with learning disabilities under NHS care die avoidably each year (Mencap)
Women with learning disabilities die on average 20 years earlier than other women
Men with learning disabilities die 13 years earlier than other men

The Learning Disabilities Liaison Service has been developed to address the health inequalities that are experienced by people with learning disabilities.

The aims of the Learning Disabilities Liaison Service are:

To work closely with acute and secondary healthcare services to establish how to respond to the health needs of people with learning disabilities
To improve health outcomes of people with learning disabilities
Enhance the experience of healthcare services for patients with learning disabilities and their families
To provide advice and guidance to departments and wards on making reasonable adjustments to care for patients with learning disabilities
To provide advice and guidance in relation to behaviours that challenge
To raise awareness, improve skills and provide training to colleagues in acute and secondary healthcare services
To develop plans alongside colleagues in acute and secondary healthcare settings, to ensure those with additional complex needs are enabled to access health care effectively and appropriately