AU4S083 - Primary and Acute Health Needs of Individuals with Learning Disabilities 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: AU4S083
Module Title: Primary and Acute Health Needs of Individuals with Learning Disabilities
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Community and Professional Practice Nursing
Faculty Sub Group: Professional Nursing Practice
Module Leader: Stacey Rees
Module Team: Stuart Todd, Edward Oloidi, Rachel Morgan, Colin Macpherson, Steve Walden
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module: N/A
HECOS codes: 100286 - learning disabilities nursing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

To equip the student with knowledge, skills and competence to support people with a learning disability.

Content Summary

  • Understand what is meant by the term ‘learning disability’

  • Understand that the impact of learning disabilities on the individual may vary over time and context.

  • Be aware of stigma and the effect this can have on the lives of people with learning disabilities.

  • Know that the barriers they experience are not an inevitable part of having a learning disability – they can be removed or reduced.

  • Recognise that they have a role to play in recognising and reducing these barriers.

  • Challenge stigma and discrimination experienced by people with learning disabilities.

  • Support others to understand the impact that learning disabilities may have on an individual.

  • Understand the concept of diagnostic overshadowing

  • Be aware of the specific health needs of people with certain syndromes such as Down’s Syndrome.

  • Be aware of the health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities.

  • Recognise that achieving equality of healthcare may mean providing services in a different way.

  • Understand the concept of reasonable adjustments

  • Understand the basic principles of positive behavioural support.

  • Be aware of the range of ways in which people with learning disabilities may communicate

  • Understand the importance of adapting personal communication to meet individual needs.

  • Understand the key role that families and other carers play in supporting people with learning disabilities.

  • Secure input from, and work effectively with, learning disability support services

  • Be aware that people with learning disabilities have the same rights as other citizens.

  • Be aware of their personal responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 15
Seminars 20
Tutorials 13
Independent Study 72
Directed Study (including online independent learning) 70
Interdisciplinary work 5
Problem/Challenge based learning 5
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Apply evidence-based practice to the health needs of individuals with a learning disability
LO2 Critically examine and reflect upon the recognition and removal of barriers to healthcare for people with a learning disability

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 A case report that demonstrates a critical understanding identifying and meeting the health needs of individuals with learning disabilities. A case report that demonstrates a critical understanding identifying and meeting the health needs of individuals with learning disabilities. 0 4000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Atherton, H, Crickmore D. (2023) Learning disabilities: towards inclusion. (8th Edition). Churchill Livingstone. London

Clark L, and Griffiths P. (2008). Learning disability and other Intellectual Impairments- meeting needs through health revise. Wiley. Hoboken.
 Gates, B; Mafuba, K. (2015) Learning Disability Nursing: Modern Day Practice. Taylor and Francis. London.
 Hardy, S; Chaplin, E; Woodward, P; (2016) Supporting the Physical Health Needs of People with Learning Disabilities: A Handbook for Professionals, Support Staff and Families. Pavilion Publishing. London

Moulster, G., Iorizzo. J., Kernohan. J. (2019) The Moulster and Griffiths Learning and Disability Nursing Model: A framework for practice. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. London
 Perry D, Hammond L, Marston G, Gaskell S and Eva J. (2010). Caring for the physical and mental health of people with learning disabilities. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. London.
 Prasher, V. and Janicki, M. (2019) Physical Health of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. (2nd Edition). Springer. Cham (Switzerland)

Priest H, and Gibbs M. (2000) Mental health care for people with learning disabilities. Churchill Livingston. Oxford.