The day began with everyone being welcomed by Billy Pate, the current chair of the Scottish Learning Disability Nursing Network (SLDNN). Billy gave a very quick update of the work the SLDNN had been carrying out, and mentioned current developments with new subgroups:
- 3rd and Voluntary Sector Subgroup - This subgroup is in it's early stages but the SLDNN Steering group are confident and committed to engaging with this sector
- Inpatient and Assessment & Treatment - This subgroup have struggled with logistics however have found their meetings to be extremely beneficial and an area to exchange best practice. Billy encouraged people within in patient settings to attend if they are available as it is a great opportunity.
- Student sub-group - Billy commented on the vibrancy and enthusiasm the student sub group bring to the network and the developments they have made.
Billy discussed the SLDNN's ongoing work with the Senior Nurse Group. He reiterated the aims of the SLDNN, which continues to be practitioner led, with people on the ground and within teams. Thanks went to contributing health boards, who without their support event's like today would be difficult, if not impossible to organise, and thanks went to the Steering Group and Planning Group for their continued commitment to the network.
The morning chair and opening remarks came from Melanie Johnston, Executive Director Of Nursing and Allied Health professionals from NHS Lothian. Melanie was pleased to support the SLDNN and was encouraged by the experience present in the room and the new faces coming through.
The first presentation was from Professor Angela Wallace, Executive Nurse Director, NHS Forth Valley, Strengthening the Commitment, National Implementation Group Chair. Angela explained her hope of continued collaborative working inspired by the SLDNN. She was inspired by Learning Disability (LD) Nursing and described it as "the purist form of nursing". The full talk was from the heart and genuine. Angela encouraged the full room to "be more pirate", to fill the many myths surrounding LD Nursing with truths.
Joanne Dick, Vision Support Officer Complex Needs from RNIB Scotland spoke about improving eye health for people with learning disabilities. Joanne explored the necessity of recognising visual impairments in people with learning disability (PWLD). She discussed the higher prevalence of sight loss or visual impairments within the learning disability population. It is vital for LD Health Professionals to improve their recognition of hidden sight loss and improve access to eye care. Joanne's session was very interactive with a lot of audience participation.
Isobel MacKenzie, Acute Learning Disability Nurse Advisor, Learning Disability Service from NHS Grampian explored the role of the Liason Nurse. The presentation focused on both Acute and Primary Care settings. Isobel suggested a focus on primary care could be a more proactive way of supporting people with learning disabilities through treatments. Isobel was confident when discussing times when interventions unfortunately didn't have the end result hoped for. But also shared her success stories, evidencing the importance of the Acute Liason role.
Angela Henderson, Deputy Director from the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory (SLDO) presented on what the SLDO are about and their aims. Angela discussed the health inequalities of PWLD compared to the general populations. She went over the aims for the SLDO and how they plan on analysing existing data and visualising their findings. The SLDO are still in the early stages but are focused on improving the lives of PWLD.
Alison O'Donnell, Project Lead from NHS Glasgow Greater and Clyde presented on Learning Disabilities and Palliative Care: Building Bridges - Supporting Care. Alison delivered a thoughtful, passionate evidence based presentation. She discussed the nurse lead work she was carrying out, working as a learning disability nurse in partnership with palliative care nurses to better peoples end of life care. Alison discussed her pilot project and how she utilised the HEF to evidence base her practice. Alison emphasised the need for learning disability nurses putting people with learning disabilities at the heart of their practice. Alison provided their website should you want more information about this topic.
http://www.ldpcproject.co.uk/
Hugh Masters, Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Scottish Government was the afternoon chair and spoke about the commitment from the Scottish Government to Learning Disability Nursing with almost 100 places between Glasgow Caledonian University and Edinburgh Napier University a year. He encouraged the use of social media to reach people across the world about the continued innovative practice of LD Practitioner's within Scotland.
Heather Duff, Project Manager Health Equalities Framework, Learning Disability Managed Care Network talked about her role in promoting the Health Equalities Framework. Heather offers training for learning disability nurses. She conveys the HEFs importance and hopes to communicate that with those she trains. Heather is hoping to spread her knowledge as far afield as Shetland.
A video from the 5 students from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) who are currently on placement in Malawi, sent a message of how they were finding their placement and well wishes for the students presenting on the day. The video is linked below if you want to have a look. https://www.dropbox.com/s/qlzjcg8eu1nfjev/VID_20150616_151755.mp4?dl=0&oref=e
Heather Johnston & Abbie Thomson from GCU and Annie Millar & Caryn McWhirter from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) presented on tackling health inequalities in the pre-reg nursing framework. The four students discussed health inequalities from their own interest points, these were; forensics, sexual health, profound and multiple learning disabilities and epilepsy. The students were confident, engaging and filled with enthusiasm. The students done fantastically, and were well received by all in attendance.
Louise Howie, Acting Health Promotion Officer/ Community Learning Disability Charge Nurse & Mary McBride, Community Learning Disability Nurse NHS Fife delivered the final presentation of the day on supporting parents with a learning disability: NHS Fife Pathway. They delivered a detailed presentation on the pathway they have created and the statistics of it's effectiveness. They discussed the necessity to keep the child at the centre of what they do, but that as LD professionals we must not forget the needs of the parents. They spoke about the benefits of a care programme approach and how they have benefited by working with the 3rd Sector whilst providing parental support.
Libby Paisley, the conference chair rounded off the day by presenting the SLDNN Unsung Hero Award to Carly Nesvat. Carly advocated to ensure that the individual she was working with was surrounded by people who loved them in the last few days of their life. Carly fought through emotion to end the day with some very encouraging words "Don't ever give up".
The conference was inspiring and motivating from start to finish. The day highlighted the complexities of meeting basic health needs of PWLD, however at no point did anyone throughout the day say they could not be met. They provided examples of best practice and an honesty of when things didn't go according to plan which made each of their presentations relatable. Of course, I'm going to give massive acknowledgement to the four student's who presented on the day. Having been in their position before, I know how daunting this opportunity was, but they all were fantastic.
A massive thanks to the SLDNN for working and advising the Student Sub-group, and for having us at conference. The Student Sub-groups plans are only in their early stages, and with the motivation and passion we felt at conference, we can't wait to get to work!
Isobel MacKenzie, Acute Learning Disability Nurse Advisor, Learning Disability Service from NHS Grampian explored the role of the Liason Nurse. The presentation focused on both Acute and Primary Care settings. Isobel suggested a focus on primary care could be a more proactive way of supporting people with learning disabilities through treatments. Isobel was confident when discussing times when interventions unfortunately didn't have the end result hoped for. But also shared her success stories, evidencing the importance of the Acute Liason role.
Angela Henderson, Deputy Director from the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory (SLDO) presented on what the SLDO are about and their aims. Angela discussed the health inequalities of PWLD compared to the general populations. She went over the aims for the SLDO and how they plan on analysing existing data and visualising their findings. The SLDO are still in the early stages but are focused on improving the lives of PWLD.
Alison O'Donnell, Project Lead from NHS Glasgow Greater and Clyde presented on Learning Disabilities and Palliative Care: Building Bridges - Supporting Care. Alison delivered a thoughtful, passionate evidence based presentation. She discussed the nurse lead work she was carrying out, working as a learning disability nurse in partnership with palliative care nurses to better peoples end of life care. Alison discussed her pilot project and how she utilised the HEF to evidence base her practice. Alison emphasised the need for learning disability nurses putting people with learning disabilities at the heart of their practice. Alison provided their website should you want more information about this topic.
http://www.ldpcproject.co.uk/
Hugh Masters, Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Scottish Government was the afternoon chair and spoke about the commitment from the Scottish Government to Learning Disability Nursing with almost 100 places between Glasgow Caledonian University and Edinburgh Napier University a year. He encouraged the use of social media to reach people across the world about the continued innovative practice of LD Practitioner's within Scotland.
Heather Duff, Project Manager Health Equalities Framework, Learning Disability Managed Care Network talked about her role in promoting the Health Equalities Framework. Heather offers training for learning disability nurses. She conveys the HEFs importance and hopes to communicate that with those she trains. Heather is hoping to spread her knowledge as far afield as Shetland.
A video from the 5 students from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) who are currently on placement in Malawi, sent a message of how they were finding their placement and well wishes for the students presenting on the day. The video is linked below if you want to have a look. https://www.dropbox.com/s/qlzjcg8eu1nfjev/VID_20150616_151755.mp4?dl=0&oref=e
Heather Johnston & Abbie Thomson from GCU and Annie Millar & Caryn McWhirter from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) presented on tackling health inequalities in the pre-reg nursing framework. The four students discussed health inequalities from their own interest points, these were; forensics, sexual health, profound and multiple learning disabilities and epilepsy. The students were confident, engaging and filled with enthusiasm. The students done fantastically, and were well received by all in attendance.
Louise Howie, Acting Health Promotion Officer/ Community Learning Disability Charge Nurse & Mary McBride, Community Learning Disability Nurse NHS Fife delivered the final presentation of the day on supporting parents with a learning disability: NHS Fife Pathway. They delivered a detailed presentation on the pathway they have created and the statistics of it's effectiveness. They discussed the necessity to keep the child at the centre of what they do, but that as LD professionals we must not forget the needs of the parents. They spoke about the benefits of a care programme approach and how they have benefited by working with the 3rd Sector whilst providing parental support.
Libby Paisley, the conference chair rounded off the day by presenting the SLDNN Unsung Hero Award to Carly Nesvat. Carly advocated to ensure that the individual she was working with was surrounded by people who loved them in the last few days of their life. Carly fought through emotion to end the day with some very encouraging words "Don't ever give up".
The conference was inspiring and motivating from start to finish. The day highlighted the complexities of meeting basic health needs of PWLD, however at no point did anyone throughout the day say they could not be met. They provided examples of best practice and an honesty of when things didn't go according to plan which made each of their presentations relatable. Of course, I'm going to give massive acknowledgement to the four student's who presented on the day. Having been in their position before, I know how daunting this opportunity was, but they all were fantastic.
A massive thanks to the SLDNN for working and advising the Student Sub-group, and for having us at conference. The Student Sub-groups plans are only in their early stages, and with the motivation and passion we felt at conference, we can't wait to get to work!
