Patterns of decline in numbers of learning disability nurses employed by the English National Health Service

Glover, Gyles and Emerson, Eric (2012) Patterns of decline in numbers of learning disability nurses employed by the English National Health Service. Tizard Learning Disability Review, 17 (4). pp. 194-198. ISSN 1359-5474

Abstract

Purpose – To report on trends in the number of learning disability nurses working in the English National Health Service (NHS). Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides secondary analysis of data from NHS workforce statistics. Findings – Over the period 2008 to 2011, there was a decline of 23 per cent in the number of whole time equivalent learning disability nurses employed by the NHS. While the decline may, in part, be explained by a parallel reduction in NHS inpatient beds for people with learning disabilities, unevenly distributed reductions in the number of community nurses in different English regions are harder to explain. Research limitations/implications – A better understanding of the numbers of learning disability nurses working in different sectors, given the roles expected of them, is essential to workforce planning and training plans. Originality/value – Learning disability nurses are crucial to modern community based learning disability services. In this context, the number and distribution of them is important.