ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide an understanding that people with learning disabilities and mental health problems should be able to access generic mental health services, particularly where this learning disability is mild to moderate. This supports the need to equip mental health nurses with a basic understanding of these two superimposed conditions of mental health and learning disability, often termed dual diagnoses within learning disability services. The chapter considers the need for a greater understanding of learning disability for mental health nurses, given the potentially increasing use of generic or mainstream mental health services required by this client group. An accurate diagnosis is based on a comprehensive assessment. It will involve understanding and a creative response to cognitive deficits and communication problems. It will also involve working with family members or carers, who may play a crucial role when using informant-based tools, a key blend between person-centred and relationship-centred agendas.
