Learning disabilities

Increasingly, people with a learning disability will be living in the community and being seen in mainstream NHS services. This programme considers action that those working in mainstream services can take that will support this key element of NHS care.

This programme has been designed to enable you to contribute and respond more effectively to the needs of people with a learning disability, their carers and their support workers, to optimise their medicines and improve their health outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• categorise a range of learning disabilities and the differences in capability that can occur in each of these
• describe key policy drivers that support change in the management of people with a learning disability
• explain consent to a person with a learning disability and recognise when to involve family members, carers and support workers in the consultation
• demonstrate patient-centred consultation skills and behaviours to meet the needs of people with a learning disability
• promote physical health and wellbeing and support patients to manage their concurrent physical health conditions
• identify people with a learning disability and concurrent mental health disorder and provide them with advice and support
• support people with a learning disability and their families to manage behaviour that challenges, in line with National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidance
• explain the importance of a holistic approach to medicines optimisation as a strategy to help people with a learning disability make the most of their medicines.

The aim of this e-learning programme is to improve the understanding and skills of community pharmacy teams in implementing the Accessible Information Standard to support people with communication difficulties.

Learning Objectives:

• discuss your responsibilities as a pharmacy team member with regards to the Accessible Information Standard
• describe the importance of meeting customers' communication needs
• identify patients with communication difficulties
• explain how your pharmacy will record, highlight and share information about patients' communication needs
• deliver effective solutions to meet individuals' communication needs
• train other pharmacy team members to enable them to implement the requirements of the Accessible Information Standard.

NHS England Stopping Over-Medication of People with a Learning Disability, Autism or

RPS Medicines optimisation briefing: learning disabilities