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Disability Support for Clinical Placement. Martin Simons. Practice Placement Manager/Senior Charge Nurse Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. What is Disability?. Disability Discrimination Act (1995/2005) U.K Law:
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Disability Support for Clinical Placement Martin Simons. Practice Placement Manager/Senior Charge Nurse Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
What is Disability? • Disability Discrimination Act (1995/2005) U.K Law: ‘A physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term effect on a persons’ ability to carry out normal day to day activities.’
Disability Discrimination Act. • Reasonable Adjustment: • A U.K. Employer has a duty under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995/2005) to make 'reasonable adjustments' ensuring that staff are not put at a substantial disadvantage.
Disclosure of Disability. • Often difficult: • Labelling. • Discrimination. • Humiliation. • Bullying. • Lack of awareness of disability.
Background • Pre registration nursing issues. • Clinical Education Team issues. • Referral process.
Group Membership. • Clinicians. • Educators. • Other departments. • Higher Education Institutions. • Incorporating other Trusts.
Aim of Group. • Advice and support. • Encourage disclosure. • Assess practicality of reasonable adjustments for clinical setting. • Follow up support. • An evolving group.
Case Study 1 • Student Nurse Angela. • History of depression. • Self harmer • 1st placement following long intermission from course. • Shy, nervous, fragile. • Medication.
Case Study 2 • Staff Nurse Karen. • Injured by patient when on duty. • Lost full use of left thumb. • Taken off clinical duties. • Auditing and Administration. • Wanted to nurse! • Frustrated!!!
Case Study 3 • Student Nurse Donna. • Poor documentation. • Issues with managing time and priorities. • Difficulty reading black type on white paper.
Recent Initiatives. • Any member of staff needing dyslexia assessment will be funded by Trust. • Trial taking place with software to support dyslexia. • Addition of Registered Mental Health Nurse to Group. • Looking at developing a ‘Disability Champion’ role in clinical areas. • Involved in cases in other staff groups in the Trust.
In Conclusion – Who Benefits? • Staff. • Students • Trust. • Patients.
A Lesson Learned! • Disclosure and effective communication is better for everyone concerned and saves potential embarrassment. • Thanks for Listening.