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Learning disabilities: ‘rhetoric into reality’

Learning disabilities: ‘rhetoric into reality’
Learning disabilities: ‘rhetoric into reality’
The concerns of policy, practice and research have shifted from the “deinstitutionalisation” of the few to a contemporary focus upon the social exclusion faced by the whole learning disability population. As part of the developing understanding of the relationship between social exclusion and health, the 1990s saw emerging evidence of unmet health needs (Turner & Moss, 1996; Lennox & Kerr, 1997). Today, firmly embedded within the “Public Health” agenda, the evidence of health inequalities is incontrovertible - that despite having additional health needs, the health of this population is poorer compared with that of the general population. A series of damning reports have revealed the extent, finding “some appalling examples of discrimination, abuse and neglect across the range of health services” (DRC; 2006; Healthcare Commission, 2007; Mencap, 2007; Michael, 2008).
A plethora of policy and ‘good practice’ guidance provides fundamental principles of sound service provision (Lindsey, 1998; Darzi, 2008; DH, 2001, 2007a, 2007b, 2007c, 2009). These, along with others, provide the mandates for ameliorating the health inequalities confronting people with learning disabilities, for the necessary reorganisation of health service provision and changes to professional practice. The challenge remains - to turn “rhetoric” into reality - for a real difference to be made.
Educating health care practitioners about health inequalities is paramount to improving the quality of health care; of fundamental importance is the consideration of what actually occurs during day-to-day interactions between health care professionals and patients/clients (Michael, 2008).
This presentation explores the health inequalities education of student nurses over the last decade within one HEI, in order to consider how in future, nurses’ practice can best be developed to deliver real changes for people with learning disabilities. We will consider a move towards a more “action-based approach”, with consideration of the “how” - how can anti-discriminatory practice be “taught” to large cohorts, utilising innovative approaches.
Pogson, D.
8c2d4f13-1952-4e6f-a45f-b63c63b01ff2
Lockyer, T.K.
d4c6ce0e-abdb-4f26-9a10-c43dcd14a829
Humphrys, K.
b6e6e6e5-dc7b-4cc1-a1ca-18434224fd39
Pogson, D.
8c2d4f13-1952-4e6f-a45f-b63c63b01ff2
Lockyer, T.K.
d4c6ce0e-abdb-4f26-9a10-c43dcd14a829
Humphrys, K.
b6e6e6e5-dc7b-4cc1-a1ca-18434224fd39

Pogson, D., Lockyer, T.K. and Humphrys, K. (2009) Learning disabilities: ‘rhetoric into reality’. Public Health SIG [Special Interest Group], Southampton, UK. 26 Jun 2009.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Other)

Abstract

The concerns of policy, practice and research have shifted from the “deinstitutionalisation” of the few to a contemporary focus upon the social exclusion faced by the whole learning disability population. As part of the developing understanding of the relationship between social exclusion and health, the 1990s saw emerging evidence of unmet health needs (Turner & Moss, 1996; Lennox & Kerr, 1997). Today, firmly embedded within the “Public Health” agenda, the evidence of health inequalities is incontrovertible - that despite having additional health needs, the health of this population is poorer compared with that of the general population. A series of damning reports have revealed the extent, finding “some appalling examples of discrimination, abuse and neglect across the range of health services” (DRC; 2006; Healthcare Commission, 2007; Mencap, 2007; Michael, 2008).
A plethora of policy and ‘good practice’ guidance provides fundamental principles of sound service provision (Lindsey, 1998; Darzi, 2008; DH, 2001, 2007a, 2007b, 2007c, 2009). These, along with others, provide the mandates for ameliorating the health inequalities confronting people with learning disabilities, for the necessary reorganisation of health service provision and changes to professional practice. The challenge remains - to turn “rhetoric” into reality - for a real difference to be made.
Educating health care practitioners about health inequalities is paramount to improving the quality of health care; of fundamental importance is the consideration of what actually occurs during day-to-day interactions between health care professionals and patients/clients (Michael, 2008).
This presentation explores the health inequalities education of student nurses over the last decade within one HEI, in order to consider how in future, nurses’ practice can best be developed to deliver real changes for people with learning disabilities. We will consider a move towards a more “action-based approach”, with consideration of the “how” - how can anti-discriminatory practice be “taught” to large cohorts, utilising innovative approaches.

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More information

Published date: 26 June 2009
Venue - Dates: Public Health SIG [Special Interest Group], Southampton, UK, 2009-06-26 - 2009-06-26

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 72269
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/72269
PURE UUID: 435195cb-17f1-4c39-845b-4f0bd99b0c5d

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 04 Feb 2010
Last modified: 22 Jul 2022 17:10

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Contributors

Author: D. Pogson
Author: T.K. Lockyer
Author: K. Humphrys

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