- N Davies: Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire. n.davies.s06@cranfield.ac.uk
Older patients with learning disabilities have greater physical and mental healthcare needs than the general population. However, because of a lack of knowledge about learning disabilities and low confidence in working with this patient group, their healthcare needs are often misinterpreted or neglected. By learning more about this group and developing skills that can aid the nurse-patient relationship, nurses will become more confident in their working practice and older patients with learning disabilities can receive the same quality health service as other patients.