Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities: Volume 1 Issue 1

Editorial

Geraldine Holt, Steve Hardy

So much policy, so little change!

Ken Holland

This article provides a brief historical perspective and describes recent policy guidance relating to the mental health needs of people with learning disabilities in England. It…

Policy implementation in England: developments to meet the mental health needs of people with learning disabilities

Eddie Chaplin, Jean O'Hara

In the last decade we have witnessed much debate and activity around the provision of mental health services for people with learning disabilities in England. This article looks…

Mental health and people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland: an overview of current policy

Owen Barr

In 2002, a Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability in Northern Ireland was launched, which reported during 2005‐6 and produced a framework for future learning disability…

Service provision for people with learning disabilities and psychiatric disorders in Northern Ireland

Laurence Taggart

The aim of this paper is to provide readers with an overview of service provision for people with learning disabilities and psychiatric disorders in Northern Ireland. The first…

Policy and learning disabilities: a Scottish perspective

Michael Brown

This paper outlines the development of legislative and policy frameworks in Scotland with a particular focus following political devolution. The impact of these changes and…

Improving the mental health of people with learning disabilities in Scotland: putting policy into practice

Neill Simpson, Margaret Whoriskey, Michael McCue

Service systems for people with learning disabilities in Scotland have developed in the context of the Scottish legal system and devolved policy for health. Scottish organisations…

The All Wales Learning Disability Strategy: current status and implications for people with mental health needs or severe challenging behaviour

David Felce, David Allen

This paper briefly summarises the main Welsh policy principles that apply to all people with learning disabilities, including those with mental health needs or severe challenging…

Policy implementation in Wales: current implications for Welsh people with learning disabilities and complex mental health needs including challenging behaviour

Helen Matthews

An overview of the mechanisms for policy implementation in Wales to better meet the mental health needs of people with learning disabilities is given. Commissioning of health…

Challenges in accessing local services for a person with complex mental health needs: a network approach

Angela Hassiotis, Charles Parkes, Ian Hall

This case study of a woman with moderate learning disabilities, autistic traits and bipolar affective disorder illustrates the challenges of supporting people with learning…

Medical problems with autoimmune aetiology in a patient with Down's syndrome and learning disabilities

Mo Eyeoyibo, Haroula Konstantinidou

This is a case report of a patient with Down's syndrome and moderate learning disabilities presenting with an acute psychotic episode in the context of hyperthyroidism as well as…