Sustaining the Commitment: update report

Promoting competence

A number of products were commissioned via NHS Education for Scotland during the programme, the work focuses on:

• improving health equalities for people by the development of the Equal Health Framework and associated learning resources
• supporting workforce development in Positive Behaviour Support and Active Support
• developing a range of resources to enhance staff's knowledge and skills in supporting people with learning disability who have complex care and support needs

The resources, which are available for wide use across the UK, can be found on the NHS Education for Scotland website and include

• Learning Byte - Living Healthy Living Well
• Learning Byte - Postural Care
• Learning Byte - Breaking the Barriers
• Equal Health Educational Framework
• Equal Health Informed Practice DVD
• Equal Health Skilled Learning Resource
• Career and Development Framework for Learning Disability Nursing in Scotland
• National Framework for Pre-registration Learning Disability Nursing Field Programmes in Scotland
• Positive Behavioural Support: A Learning Resource
• Positive Behavioural Support: Facilitators Pack
• Thinking about me? Essential psychological care for people with learning disabilities
• Improving practice:supporting people whose behaviour is perceived as challenging
• Career Pathway for RNLD's in Northern Ireland
• Outcomes Based Resource Pack for Registered Nurses Learning Disabilities

Throughout, the programme has sought to strengthen the role of RNLDs recognising the benefits of having specifically prepared nurses to support people with learning disabilities.

As a consequence of the programme, progress has been made in strengthening the profession by ensuring networks that provide a platform to promote, share and develop the contribution of learning disability nurses, developing competence within the profession and across the wider health and social care system, providing outcome measures and resources to reduce health inequalities and strengthening leadership among learning disability nursing.