December 2010 Learning Disability Practice
As the number of people growing old with learning disabilities rises the need for a dedicated clinical nurse specialist role is becoming imperative, argue Maria Caples and colleagues
The age profile of Irish people with a learning disability has changed significantly prompting a call for the development of the role of the gerontological clinical nurse specialist. The authors argue the role would bring much-needed expertise to support families and carers and to advocate for individuals
accessing healthcare services.
Maria Caples, lecturer, Lynne Marsh, branch leader (BSc Learning disability), Caroline Dalton, lecturer, and Elaine Drummond, lecturer. All at the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland.
N.B. Elaine Drummond contributed to this article. An obituary for Elaine was also published in the December print edition of LDP..
