Learning disability simulations for all student nurses

Student nurse training to assess, support and manage patients with learning disabilities and autism has recently become mandatory for all nursing and care staff following the inclusion of specific role-appropriate training in the Health and Social Care Act. These measures are also to be supported by ensuring that people with learning disabilities receive better and more focused community care as part of plans to reduce the number of specialist inpatient care admissions. Nurses report receiving insufficient training in caring for people with learning disabilities, and many patients within this group experience health inequalities and unmet needs (Ford, 2020).

The mandated training is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death highlighted the need for improved training for all health and social care staff. It has been developed with expertise from people with learning disabilities and autism, their families and carers. It has also been created in partnership with Health Education England, the Department of Health and Social Care, Skills for Care and NHS England. Tier one is a 90-minute e-learning session followed by an interactive online session with a service user and facilitator. Tier two is a 90-minute online learning session followed by a 1-day face-to-face session with a service user, facilitator, and subject specialist.