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To help prevent the spread of winter viruses such as Covid-19, influenza and norovirus (winter vomiting bug), and to protect our patients and staff, please do not visit patients in our hospitals if you have: flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, cold); Covid-19 or influenza, or any other infections; diarrhoea and/or vomiting within the last two days.
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Learning disabilities

The West Suffolk Hospital has a learning disability liaison nurse who can offer advice, guidance or support if you, your relative, or the person you care for comes into hospital.

Services provided

The learning disability liaison nurse supports individuals who have a learning disability or autism, who come into the hospital for care, treatment, tests or investigations.

They will:

  • make sure the person and their family or carer has access to all the information needed when coming into hospital
  • inform hospital staff of any special arrangements required for the patient’s appointment, treatment, or stay in hospital
  • support the patient in understanding and communicating their needs and provide advice on communication.
  • co-ordinate discharge arrangements between the patient, carers, community and hospital staff.
  • aim to play a crucial role in raising the profile and status of people with a learning disability and/or autism.
  • actively promote the needs and rights of people with a learning disability and/or autism, including specific support needs, issues of consent and right to treatment.
  • work closely with colleagues to help patients who are coming in for planned appointments and procedures.  preparing them for their hospital stay and helping to make their experience less stressful and as positive as possible.
  • provide support and advice for carers.
  • act as an advocate for patients and their families/carers when accessing the West Suffolk Hospital.


Contact details

If you would like any further information, or if you have any questions about the person you are caring for who is accessing the West Suffolk Hospital for any reason, please contact the Learning Disability Liaison Nurse - Emer O'Mahony - on the number below. The service is available from Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm, excluding Bank Holidays. Outside of these hours please access the hospital as you normally would.

Learning Disability Liaison Nurse - Emer O'Mahony

Telephone: 01284 713973

Opening hours

Weekdays 9.00am to 5.00pm, excluding bank holidays.


Disabled access

If you require assistance when visiting our hospitals, please call our switchboard to arrange assistance in advance: 01284 713000 

To view all of our information regarding disabled access to our hospitals, please visit AccessAble


Hospital passports

The Health Passport

The Health Passport is for patients with learning disabilities or autism to fill in and use when they come into the West Suffolk Hospital. It tells staff all the important things about a patient’s needs.

It includes information on how the person likes to communicate, any medication they are on and how it is taken, likes and dislikes, sleeping preferences, getting around, information on help required with eating, drinking, washing and dressing and other important things about the person’s health.

Download the Health Passport for patients with Learning Disabilities / Autism here

Disability Focus

The principal objective of Disability Focus is to enable disabled people to raise their concerns and issues and make their voices heard, and for those in statutory organisations to listen to those voices and take note of their concerns and issues. Find out more information about the about me health passport. 

Download the Disability Focus passport here


Resources

Websites and information:

Easy read booklets on medical information and procedures for people with learning disabilities: