Meeting the needs of people with a learning disability in the emergency department

Nurses in the emergency department will regularly encounter individuals with a learning disability in their day to day work. Admission to hospital and especially the emergency department can be very problematic for people with a learning disability. For a number of reasons the health, safety and welfare of this group of patients may be seriously compromised. An awareness of the risks associated with hospital care for these patients, along with an understanding of their specific needs, will help to minimise the potential for problems to occur.