New specialist nurse role helping patients with learning disabilities to feel seen, heard and supported

A new specialist nurse role at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust is helping to improve hospital care for patients with a learning disability or autism.

Learning Disability and Autism Nurse Specialist Leona McCook is working with clinical teams, patients, families and carers to help remove barriers to treatment, improve communication and ensure reasonable adjustments are in place.

The role is already making a difference by supporting staff to better understand patients’ needs and helping people feel more seen, heard and supported during their time in hospital.

“I want parents and carers to know there is someone outside of the clinical ward who can advocate for them,” said Leona. “I’m here to train staff and also learn from mistakes, to see what we can do better.”

Leona helps staff to understand how best to communicate with individuals, including recognising when a patient may be in pain or distress, and works with system partners to aid discharge.

Her day-to-day work is varied, from supporting patients in clinics or on wards to contributing to multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions and responding to urgent situations where additional support is needed. She also makes sure important information, such as hospital passports, is used effectively so staff can better understand each patient’s needs, preferences and communication methods.

Now almost 10 years into her career at UHCW, having previously being based in Paediatrics, Leona describes the position as her ‘dream job’.

“I have a nephew with autism and muscular dystrophy and that sparked my passion to go into learning disability nursing,” added Leona, who has also worked at a special needs school.

“The feeling you get from caring for a patient with a learning disability or autism is completely different to any other person. When it works and you make changes that improve someone’s life, the feeling is unexplainable.”

For carers Paul and Connie, the impact of Leona’s support has already been deeply felt, helping their loved one feel more at ease during a month in hospital.

“I can’t say how vital she is, we are so grateful” said Connie. “She has made a bond with our lady she’s just said ‘Leona’s my best friend’. It means an awful lot.”

Leona’s role complements the Oliver McGowan training undertaken by all NHS workers introduced as a result of the teenager’s avoidable death in 2017.

UHCW also marked a decade of its successful Supported Internship Programme last year, a collaboration with Coventry City Council helping young people aged 16 to 24 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) move from education into employment.