It’s Learning Disability Week (Monday 16 to Sunday 22 June) and Maggie Watkinson, a learning disability (LD) nurse who recently joined our team, has shared what inspired her to become a nurse after 14 years as a teacher.

Maggie grew up with a cousin who had a LD and realised when she was young that there wasn’t enough awareness about it. Determined to change this, when she was still in school Maggie decided to increase awareness in a unique way – with music.

She said:

There was a large group of us who would create music and perform to others to help raise awareness to everyone and to build people’s understanding.

Her passion for supporting people continued into her career when she became a teacher, supporting young people with LD to learn and develop their skills. Working closely with her students for 14 years gave her an even better understanding so she decided to pursue a career in LD nursing.

She spent three years at Hertfordshire University studying for a BSc in LD nursing, joining our Trust after attending a mass nurse recruitment event earlier this year. Maggie was one of nine LD specialist nurses recruited at the event, and the first to start working on our wards.

She added:

I want to raise awareness of LD across our hospitals and help develop a greater understanding, as well as advocate for patients and make sure there is no misdiagnosis or diagnostic overshadowing.

Diagnostic overshadowing is when clinicians or caregivers attribute a person's symptoms or behaviours to their autism and / or learning disability diagnosis without considering other potential causes, such as medical conditions, mental health issues, or other neurodevelopmental conditions.

She is predominantly based on Clementine A ward at Queen’s Hospital, where she works closely with LD patients, supporting their needs and ensuring they get the right care.

The theme of this year’s LD Week is “Do you see me?”, which is all about people with a learning disability being seen, heard and valued.

During the week, we’ll have an information stand where you can meet some of our team and there is also a competition for our wards for the best information board.