Edinburgh Napier University

  Public policy within Scotland is directed towards social inclusion and health improvement for all citizens. Since political devolution in Scotland in 1999, there has been a considerable focus on the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. To address the health needs of this group, the government undertook a national nursing review, Promoting Health, Supporting Inclusion, to develop the contribution of all nurses and midwives, both generalist and specialists1. Intellectual disability nurses have a major contribution to make. A range of actions that focus on health improvement, nurse education, coordination of care, practice development and joint working has been implemented nationally and locally to develop the role of all nurse and midwives.

A significant outcome is the publication of the health needs assessment report, which is one of the recommendations arising from the national nursing review. The health needs assessment report details the differing health patterns of people with intellectual disabilities. The findings have major implications for all aspects of healthcare services since people with intellectual disabilities will be high users; yet significant barriers exist. Nurses and midwives have a significant role in enabling access and improving health.

Support has been given by key national organizations to implement the recommendations within the report, and these have led to a number of significant developments that will enable nurses and midwives to contribute to health improvement for children, adults and older people with intellectual disabilities. Sustaining, maintaining and generalizing the developments beyond the nursing and midwifery professions is one of the challenges for the future