Supporting Adults with Learning Disabilities

The Adult Learning Disability Health Service (ALDHS) provides specialist support for adults with learning disabilities who need additional help to access healthcare services.

Our aim is to ensure that people with a learning disability receive the care, support and reasonable adjustments they need to achieve the best possible health outcomes.

---

About Our Service

We are a multi-professional team that supports adults with learning disabilities and the people who care for them.

We work closely with health and social care services to ensure learning disability is everyone’s business and that people can access the services and support they need.

We hold regular local meetings to help ensure people receive the right care, at the right time, from the right service.

---

How Can We Help?

Our team provides:

• Advice and guidance to healthcare services
• Support with reasonable adjustments
• Training for professionals working with people with learning disabilities
• Specialist assessment, care and treatment when required

We also support other services to deliver accessible healthcare and improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities.

---

Specialist Support Available

Our multi-professional team includes specialists in:

• Learning Disability Nursing
• Psychiatry
• Positive Behaviour Support
• Mental Health Nursing
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Psychological Therapies
• Physiotherapy
• Cancer Screening Support
• Occupational Therapy

This allows us to provide a coordinated approach to care and support.

---

Who Can Be Referred?

We accept referrals for people who:

• Have a global learning disability
• Have a learning disability that prevents them from being fully supported by mainstream healthcare services, even with reasonable adjustments
• Have a health need that requires specialist learning disability support

---

Who Is Not Eligible?

We do not provide services for people whose primary need is:

• A brain injury acquired after the age of 18
• A mental health condition without a learning disability
• A physical impairment without a learning disability
• Specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, ADHD or Autism without a global learning disability

The service is also not commissioned to diagnose learning disabilities.

---

Where Are We Based?

Our teams are based across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire:

• Castlewood, Clevedon
• New Friends Hall, Stapleton
• Church House, Kingswood

This allows us to support people across the local area.

---

Referrals and Advice

Referrals can be made through the Adult Learning Disability Health Service referral form.

Our advice line is available to:

• Members of the public
• Health professionals
• Social care professionals

We can provide advice and guidance to support people with learning disabilities and help manage healthcare needs.

---

Contact Us

Telephone: 0300 124 5888

Email: sirona.bcldtadviceline@nhs.net

If you need advice, guidance or further information about the service, please contact the team using the details above.

---

Accessible Information

Information can be provided in:

• Easy Read
• Large Print
• Audio Format
• British Sign Language (BSL)
• Other Languages

Please contact the service if you require information in an alternative format.