STAFF are working together to raise awareness of learning disabilities at a special information event at Southend Hospital during this year’s national Learning Disability Week.

This year’s event will focus on employment and highlight the benefits of employing people with a learning disability, as well as providing more general information around services available to support people with learning disabilities.

It will take place on Tuesday, June 20 in the exhibition area of Southend Hospital’s Education Centre between 10am and 3pm.

The hospital’s Learning Disabilities Team, Speech and Language Therapy Team and Health Facilitation Nurses will each host an information stand, along with colleagues from Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and the community-based support services BATIAS, Shields Parliament and Project 49.

Sarah Haines, Learning Disability Specialist Nurse at Southend University Hospital, said: “Coming to hospital can be an anxious time for many people but especially for those patients with learning disabilities. We offer a range of support to ensure the experience of coming to hospital is not so daunting.

“All are welcome to come along to our information event and meet the teams; particularly anyone with a learning disability who is due to come into hospital or families, carers and staff who want more information about the services provided by us and locally in the community.”

For more information about services available for people with learning disabilities at Southend University Hospital visit http://bit.ly/southendld