RCN Report | Safety, Equity and Expertise: A UK review of learning disability nursing
A significant fall in the number of learning disability nurses across the UK is putting vulnerable patients at risk and widening health inequalities, according to a new report from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
The analysis shows the workforce has declined by around a third, while the number of students entering the speciality has dropped to fewer than 500 in 2025, despite growing demand for services.
The RCN warns that this shortage means health and care systems are struggling to meet their legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 to provide equitable care for the estimated 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.
Learning disability nurses play a vital role in delivering person‑centred, rights‑based care, helping to ensure that services are adapted to patients’ communication, cognitive and health needs. However, the profession’s contribution is often underrecognised in workforce planning and service delivery.
The report calls for urgent action, including recognising the speciality as safety‑critical, strengthening workforce planning, and improving recruitment and education pathways.
The findings highlight growing concern that without sustained investment and support, the NHS will struggle to address persistent inequalities in care experienced by people with learning disabilities.
Read the full article below.
Read the full report here: Safety, Equity and Expertise: A UK review of learning disability nursing | Publications | Royal College of Nursing
