Learning Disability Nursing Issues

The guiding principles of Catholic Social Teaching have the overarching, dominating theme of human dignity (Condit, 2016, p. 371). The focus is, that human beings were formed in God’s image and in return, humanities purpose is to follow in God’s footsteps and portray the same love and grace (Coleman, 2008) (Condit, 2016, p. 371). Consequently, this affects how human beings interact with each other, requiring commitment, to look after, encourage, maintain and promote each other (Coleman, 2008) (Herbert, 2016, p. 7). One way to apply, this Catholic Social Teaching of human dignity, is to understand the nurse’s relationship with the patient. Nurses need to approach the patient with respect and maintain the person’s privacy, acknowledging that they are a fellow human being, with their own personal characteristics and beliefs (Condit, 2016, p. 371) (Walsh & Kowanko, 2002, p. 143-144, 149).

Dignity must be at the centre of everything we do if we are to achieve high quality person centred care and support, dignity focuses on the value of every person as an individual it means respecting others views, choices and decisions, not making assumptions about how people want to be treated and working with care and compassion. The principles focus on the key values,attitudes,skills and knowledge required to provide the best care possible, the principles give the workforce and those employ and train them clear guidance and practical tools to understanding how to place dignity at the

The Mental Capacity Act is legislation which increases the legal rights of the person with dementia to be involved in decisions about their own health and care. The Act also means that when somebody no longer has the mental capacity to be involved in decision making themselves, their carer will have the right to be consulted about decisions being made on behalf of the person with

 Mental Capacity Act 2005 – The MCA applies to England and Wales. The primary purpose of the MCA is to promote and safeguard decision-making within a legal framework. It does this in two ways: * By empowering people to make decisions for themselves wherever possible and by protecting people who lack capacity by providing a flexible framework that places individuals at the heart of the decision making process * By allowing people to plan ahead for a time in the future when they might lack the capacity for any number of reasons

| The Mental Capacity Act 2005 prevents people who lack mental capacity from being mistreated or wilfully neglected.

I am inspired to embark on this path because I want to gain an in depth understanding within the Learning Disability and Mental Health field for example professional aspects of care, biological basis for health and well being, identifying knowledge for nursing practice, origins and expressions of Mental Health and wellbeing, I want to be able to carry out the tasks of providing care and support for people with mental in capabilities, knowing that I am doing so with the full comprehension and grasp of what each patient needs.

My chosen reflection piece is on ageism, see appendix one. I will provide evidence reflecting the links between diabetes and depression, which will form my chosen seminar topic, see appendix two. I will then critically analyze the mental capacity Act (2005) and relate it to my specific scenario, see appendix three. I will explore how nurses the Act within nursing practice, decision- making, and how we access a person’s capacity to make specific decisions. I will explore any ethical issues that may arise following the principles of Mental Capacity Act (2005).

1.1 What is the impact of the Mental Health Act, and the Mental Incapacity Act (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards) on individuals who are living with the experience of dementia; with regards to minimising the risks of harm whilst at the same time enabling rights and choices for the individual?

Decision making and best interests of the patient in the care for people with mental health problems are one of the main concerns in nursing practice. Healthcare professionals should be knowledgeable enough to practice the legal code regarding decision making and protection of the patient with mental health problems (NMC, 2008).

This piece of legislation applies to Winterbourne house as it outlines the importance of maintaining the rights of those suffering from a mental health disorder. Those suffering from a mental health disorder may suffer from low self esteem due to the fact that mental health disorders are still surrounded with a stigma. Those working closely with these individuals must ensure that they do not feel they are being discriminated against and must maintain their self confidence, self esteem and self respect.

This essay will consider ethics in nursing, discuss values and morals and how dignity and respect in patient care is influenced; considering the importance of reflection and the implications it has on effective practice from the perspective of a student nurse. The scenario “Call Me Joe” provided by Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2010a) highlights concerning issues and bad practice that are happening in modern day nursing practice, and using the Driscoll and Teh (2001) reflective model: What, Now What and So What, to consider the care that Joe is receiving; considering how the nursing practice affects him directly and the implications of the nature of knowledge in nursing practice. Part of the way in which nursing practice is

In light of this, the assignment aims to discuss and explore a service improvement proposal that will improve ‘patient-facing’ outcomes for people with dual diagnosis of a mental illness (MI) and a learning disability (LD). The improvement proposal in question, is specifically, a workshop that is aimed at educating and improving the knowledge and confidence of nurses who come into contact with patients who have a LD, and who may also be experiencing a MI, that may be overlooked or be going unnoticed.

The author will also discuss the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Mental Health Act (1983) and how it protect an adult who is vulnerable and lacks capacity. Likewise, the author will discuss ranges of nursing interventions, person-centred care, and ethical dilemmas.

In this essay I will discuss a service user I encountered on recent practice placement who was referred to the hospital after she has been deteriorating in mental health and she has bipolar disorder. I am going to discuss the assessment and development of the care plan of the service user. The essay will also consist of a brief biography of the patient’s contributing factors towards her present mental health circumstances. The relevant culturally sensitive engagement and assessment skills used by the nurse in their relationships with the service user will be discussed. I will also explore legislative and nursing frameworks that influence and contribute to positive and hopeful service user’s care. The assignment will also explore the

During my work placement I noticed that nurses work in a variety of services and are in an ideal position to promote patients’ mental health and wellbeing by helping and empowering them to realise their abilities rather than focusing on their disability or illness (Ruddick,2013).