Supporting choice in health care for people with learning disabilities.
People with learning disabilities represent a small and vulnerable group in society who commonly encounter barriers in accessing and using health care. This article focuses on how nurses and other healthcare professionals could support these individuals to make decisions about their care. In particular, it highlights the changes in legislation, policy and practice that have occurred recently to ensure the rights of people with learning disabilities to access health care are upheld.
Turnbull
John
J
Ridgeway Partnership, Oxfordshire Learning Disability NHS Trust, Oxford. john.turnbull@ridgeway.nhs.uk
Chapman
Sue
S
D003152:Community Health Nursing; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014852:Wales