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

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.

Citation

Glover, G. and Emerson, E. (2012), "Patterns of decline in numbers of learning disability nurses employed by the English National Health Service", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 194-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/13595471211272541