Funding Opportunity: Nurse-led research on Learning Disability health checks.

The RCN Foundation is offering funding for organisations to conduct nurse-led research on learning disability annual health checks across the UK.
This initiative aims to improve accessibility, delivery and effectiveness of these essential checks.


Who can apply? Organisations leading research to enhance health outcomes for people with learning disabilities.

Applications close 21st February 5pm

Should you have any questions about this funding call, please contact Dr Sarah McGloin, Head of Grants and Impact or email the team at grants@rcnfoundation.org.uk.

Please follow this link for further information:

https://rcnfoundation.rcn.org.uk/Research-projects/Learning-disability-nursing/Health-Checks?fbclid=IwY2xjawIWDitleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHW-Rwe2YwX3nvKp5o_ZzTX16X4cI8kjYP61xXekBp7x8HQ_1ONRbC64iZQ_aem_jyeu3ALuJ6DvYY3tBfCcVw

Conference 2024 Film

On 4th December 2024, the Community Conference was hosted at Canterbury Christ Church University with support from Kent Surrey Sussex Applied Research Collaborative.

Please see the film that the events team at Canterbury Christ Church created.

Community Conference 2024 – booking details

The Community of Practice conference will take place on 4th December at Chatham Maritime hosted by Canterbury Christ Church University. 

This conference maintains it’s commitment to inclusion and working together with the focus being people with learning disabilities and their allies living Healthy, Safe and Fulfilled lives.

Keynotes have been confirmed from Bemix and their Be a Leader programme, and Ciara Lawrence – Podcaster and influencer – and her Pink Sparkle Podcast and will reflect the two areas of work from last years conference, relating to co-production and Learning Disability Nursing in the South East. 

Details for booking your free place can be found by clicking here.

If you would like to share your work demonstrating people with learning disabilities living healthy safe and fulfilled lives, please complete the short form available by clicking here. 

KSS LD COP Conference 2024 2

SUPPORT NEEDED: VODG is calling on the #health and #socialcare workforce to share their views on how we can reduce the reliance on psychotropic medications

The essential role of the health and care workforce in reducing reliance on psychotropic medications – ‘STOMP’ and ‘STAMP’

STOMP (Stopping Over Medication of People with a learning disability, autism or both) and STAMP (Supporting Treatment and Appropriate Medication in Paediatrics) are national projects, launched by NHS England and involving many different organisations, aiming to stop the overuse of psychotropic medicines. 

It is estimated that on an average day in England between 30,000 and 35,000 people with a learning disability, autism or both are taking prescribed psychotropic medication without appropriate clinical justification. 

This is a medication which results in alterations to perception, mood or consciousness. Long-term use of these medicines puts people at unnecessary risk of a wide range of side effects including weight gain, organ failure and even premature death.

We have launched a questionnaire to hear from colleagues across the health and care sector, including family carers, about your experiences of using STOMP and STAMP within your job roles and how awareness and understanding of STOMP and STAMP could be improved. 

Understanding the views of health and care professionals with experience in supporting people is essential to identifying opportunities and building solutions to prevent the overuse and inappropriate use of psychotropic medications.

The questionnaire is open now until Friday 16 December 2022.

This project is a collaboration between VODG, the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi)Learning Disability England (LDE) and Skills for Care and is funded by Health Education England. 

Find out more on our project page here: www.vodg.org.uk/resource/stomp-and-stamp-the-essential-role-of-the-health-and-care-workforce-in-reducing-the-reliance-on-psychotropic-medication.html   If you have questions about the survey or would prefer to talk through your views with a researcher, please email research.policy@vodg.org.uk