1. © University of South Wales Learning Disability Nursing Research Ruth Northway Professor of Learning Disability Nursing November 2014

2. Requirement that we base practice on ‘best available evidence’ (NMC, 2008) Relatively ‘young’ academic discipline Some positive developments Also some challenges © University of South Wales Nursing Research

3. Few learning disability nurses reported using research frequently or often in their practice Barriers identified such as time, access, and critical appraisal skills Queried whether less research undertaken in this field of nursing Parahoo et al (2000) © University of South Wales Learning Disability Nursing Research

4. Northway et al (2006) Limited research Small scale studies Little evidence of funding Few studies focusing on nursing interventions But, some evidence of increase in published research Griffiths et al (2007) Research not fit for purpose in terms of quantity or quality © University of South Wales Reviews

5. Challenges of definition Research by learning disability nurses? Research about learning disability nursing? Nursing research relating to people with learning disabilities? Challenges of invisibility Part of interdisciplinary research Not all journals note professional backgrounds Challenges of position Part of nursing research? Part of learning disability research? Challenge of funding © University of South Wales Learning Disability Nursing Research

6. Recommendation 16 Learning disabilities nurses need mechanisms to share best practice and develop the evidence base to continue to advance as a profession. Services must support learning disabilities nurses to participate in appropriate networks. A UK academic network for learning disabilities nursing will be created to support this drive. © University of South Wales Strengthening the Commitment (Scottish Government et al, 2012)

7. Recommendation 17 Learning disabilities nursing research should be extended to ensure practice now and in the future is evidence based and the impact of interventions can be demonstrated. Services and education providers must ensure that all existing and future schemes for clinical−academic careers have appropriate representation of learning disabilities nursing. © University of South Wales Strengthening the Commitment (Scottish Government et al, 2012)

8. Academic Network Research workstream Promoting engagement of LD nurses in research Developing capacity and capability © University of South Wales Current Developments

9. Facebook group – LD Nurse Research Twitter - @ldnres Blog: http://ldnurseresearch.wordpress. com © University of South Wales Getting Involved

10. Aim – to develop a position paper regarding learning disability nursing research Context setting SWOT analysis Priority setting Actions needed © University of South Wales Research Event 15 th December

11. ruth.northway@southwales.ac.uk © University of South Wales Contact Details