Patients with learning disabilities

We aim to make it easier for people with learning disabilities to get the right support at Royal Surrey County Hospital.

What we do:

Learning Disability Liaison nurses provide advice and support for all people with learning disabilities, family carers, paid staff and acute hospital staff.

This may include:

• Helping people with learning disabilities access information in an easy read format
• Providing support and guidance to hospital staff in order to meet the needs of people with Learning Disabilities
• Co-ordinating the care of someone with a learning disability prepare for their hospital visit and/or stay
• Provide training to all hospital staff regarding the needs of people with learning disabilities
• Encourage hospital staff to make reasonable adjustments to care where required.
• Provide advice around Mental Capacity Act including capacity assessments, best interest decisions and Independent Mental Capacity Advocates.
• Supporting the discharge process
• Signposting to other services as required.

We help people with a learning disability:

• To understand about their health
• To understand about their treatment
• Prepare for hospital visits and hospital stays
• To make sure things go well in hospital

You may need the hospital to adjust things to help you when you come to visit. .For example :-

• Easy read appointment letters
• Mobility Support
• Extra Time at appointments
• Calm quiet waiting rooms

You can register that you have a learning disability and the help you will need by completing the form below and returning to the hospital you attend the most.

Learning Disability Flag 

We recommend that you complete a Hospital Passport ‘This is Me’ to help staff within the hospital understand your needs. This document belongs to you and can be used in all Surrey hospitals as a inpatient and outpatient.

'This is Me' My care passport

Acute Learning Disability Liaison Nurse – Learning Disabilities

Royal Surrey County Hospital, Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

07717 850 308 / 01483 571 122 Ext 2545

Royal Surrey Learning Disabilities Policy 2017