Learning Disability/Autism Lead Nurse

Why is there a need for specialist Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) nurses at UHN?

NHS England and NHS Improvement LD Standards (2018) state that it has been widely recognised that some people with learning disabilities, autism or both encounter difficulties when accessing NHS services and can have much poorer experiences than the general population.

The LD population is living longer through the hard work that has been occurring over a number of years. As a result the demand on acute settings will continue to rise and it is widely recognised that this patient group requires specialist knowledge and skill to support. The aim is to ensure that people with learning disabilities are able to access mainstream services with specialist input available to ensure they receive the high standard of healthcare they are entitled to. KGH is an inclusive trust and specialist support is essential to ensure staff are providing an equitable service.

The LDA service at UHN is a resource available to all clinical teams caring for patients with a Learning Disability and/or Autism. The service exists to provide specialist advice and support which complements the care provided by the patient’s own clinical teams

This post holder is required to support the continued development of high-quality clinical services to meet the holistic needs of patients with a Learning Disability and/or Autism and lead the development of an organisational culture that enables equal and accessible healthcare services for this patient group.

This role will work across University Hospitals Northamptonshire (UHN) incorporating Kettering General Hospital (KGH) NHS Foundation Trust & Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group is made up of Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and Kettering General NHS Foundation Trust. Both hospitals are currently separate hospitals/employers with a joint hospital board and leadership. We share a group executive team leading on a shared vision, mission, priorities, strategies and Dedicated to Excellence Values.

Our Excellence Values

• Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Nhamo Pazvakavambwa Job title: Associate Director of Safeguarding Email address: nhamo.paz@nhs.net