Hospital help for patient group
10 Feb 2008
A new role has been created at Cornwall's largest hospital to support patients with learning disabilities. The Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro says it has realised there is a need to improve care for these patients.
The trust says a quarter of people in with learning disabilities are admitted to hospital every year. That compares to 14% of the general population. A new acute liaison nurse, Zoe Wood, has now been appointed by the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust.
She said coming to hospital could be bewildering for patients with learning disabilities whose special needs may not be obvious. She will be working directly with them to make the experience less stressful and will also be training staff to raise awareness.