Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to facilitate training for learning disability nurses.

Earlier this year, the Department ran a consultation which sought views on the introduction of mandatory learning disability and autism training for all health and care staff in England. The proposals set out in the consultation aim to ensure that staff working in health and social care have the right training, skills and knowledge to understand the needs of people with learning disabilities and autistic people and to provide them the safest, most effective and compassionate care and support.

Whilst the proposed training would be mandatory for all health and care staff who work with people with learning disabilities or autistic people, the level of training would vary depending on the individual’s role.

We will respond to the consultation and announce our next steps shortly.