Launching on Tuesday 13 June, A History of Care or Control? Over 100 Years of Learning Disability Nursing traces the story from its start in the nineteenth century, when people with learning disabilities were often kept away from society in institutions, through the changes in the twentieth century to support people to live independently. Visitors will learn about the limitations of institutional life and discover the innovations made by nurses and people with learning disabilities themselves to support their human rights. An evening of discussion to mark the new exhibition will take place on Tuesday 13 June includes contributions from Catriona Jamieson, Learning Disabilities Specialist Nurse at PAMIS, the only organisation in Scotland that works solely with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families for a better life, Dr Isla McGlade, Professional Learning/Intellectual Disabilities and Neurodevelopmental Nursing Advisor at Scottish Government and Jonathan Beebee, RCN Professional Lead in Learning Disabilities Nursing.
The discussion will consider the experiences of people with a learning disability in the past and more recent history of learning disability nursing, and explore how care for people with learning disabilities has shifted over time with reflections on learning disability nursing today.
Siân Kiely, RCN Scotland Knowledge and Research Manager, said:
“We are delighted to be celebrating learning disability nursing and the role nursing staff play in supporting people with learning disabilities. Our latest exhibition takes us from the past to the present acknowledging the significant changes that have taken place in this field of practice along the way.
“Today, learning disability nurses play an important role in upholding human rights and ensuring people in their care live the life they choose. Everyone is different and all individuals have unique needs. The changing history of learning disability nursing shows how these needs have been supported – and neglected – over time and highlights the importance of individualised care.”
Catriona Jamieson from PAMIS, a charity based in Dundee which supports people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). She says: “People living with PMLD are some of the most excluded people in our communities as they are often unable to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Modern innovations such as digital passports are now being used to educate health care professionals on how to meet needs that aren’t necessarily standard care and set service users up for success.”
