Learning Disability Week 2025: supporting better care for people with a learning disability
To provide the best care possible for people with learning disabilities, it's essential to consider reasonable adjustments, mental capacity and mental health needs. These are often overlooked, yet they can significantly affect access to treatment and health outcomes.
When reasonable adjustments aren't in place, people may miss appointments (for example, if they can't read the letter), feel anxious or unprepared (such as not knowing a blood test will happen), or be denied appropriate care because of misunderstanding around the application of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA).
By taking time to understand a person's needs - and whether they have capacity to make decisions related to their care - we can avoid delays, distress and unequal treatment.
Reasonable adjustments
People with learning disabilities or who are autistic may need small, practical changes to help them navigate healthcare. These might include:
- Allowing extra time during appointments
- Providing quiet waiting areas
- Sharing information in accessible format
You can explore reasonable adjustments guidance and resources to support your practice by visiting the NHS England website.
We're also working towards introducing a 'reasonable adjustment flag' in patient records to indicate what support someone may need, helping us deliver more person-centred care.
Mental capacity guidance
New national guidance has recently been published to support acute trusts with implementing the MCA. It includes easy-to-use posters that guide clinical teams through MCA assessments.
Mental health and learning disabilities
Between 25% and 40% of people with a learning disability will also experience a mental health problem. It's vital that we make services more inclusive and responsive to their needs.
The Green Light Toolkit, first developed by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) in 2004, remains a key self-audit tool for mental health services. The latest 2022 version focuses on creating capable, inclusive environments.
Specialist support: The Brook
Opening soon at Langdon in Dawlish, The Brook will be one of two regional facilities offering ten inpatient beds for people with learning disabilities and/or autism who have a mental health diagnosis and need specialist assessment and treatment.
Psychology and learning disabilities
Clinical psychologists play a vital role in supporting people with learning disabilities - from delivering therapeutic care plans and improving service design. They help ensure people are seen, heard and treated with dignity and understanding. The following films from the British Psychological Society are available for colleagues who would like to learn more:
The best things about being a clinical psychologist working with people with learning disabilities
What kinds of work do clinical psychologists do with people with learning disabilities?