PK Learning Disability Service

The health service for Adults with a Learning Disability in Perth and Kinross is based in Murray Royal hospital, Perth. From here the multidisciplinary team of health professionals work with individuals who need additional support or interventions that because of their leaning disability, they have difficulty accessing main-stream services.

“People with Learning Disabilities have a significant, lifelong condition that started before adulthood, that affected their development and which means they need help to understand information, learn skills and cope independently.” (Scottish Executive (2013) Keys to Life, page 6)

Criteria for a diagnosis of Learning Disabilities:

• A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (i.e. significantly impaired intelligence),
• A reduced ability to cope independently e.g. impaired social functioning or difficulty performing personal care/daily living skills.
• Onset of difficulties before the age of 18.

To be diagnosed with a learning disability, a Clinical Psychologist is usually required to assess an individual, unless the impairment is significant and obvious.

Some of the services we provide:

Out Patient Clinics

Clinics are currently held at The Hub, Murray Royal Hospital, Perth or in other localities around Perth and Kinross and include:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Downs Syndrome Health Screening

Day Assessment Services

• The Learning Disability Intensive Support Service (LDISS) and The Outreach Service located in Pinel at Murray Royal Hospital.

Community Assessment Services

This is a community team and although we are based at Murray Royal hospital, the majority of assessment and input is provided for our patients in their local communities and at home.

As well as assessment, a number of services are offered by the team, some examples are:

• Live Active Therapy Club at Bells Sports Centre, Perth.
• Hydrotherapy
• Rebound Therapy
• Relaxation
• Group sessions in community venues e.g. Practical cookery
• Sexual health and sex education and relationships sessions e.g. Tayside Sexual Health and Reproductive Service – Learning Disability Clinic, Perth College and Fairview groups.
• Support to attend clinical appointments
• Keeping safe sessions
• Sensory story sessions
• Walking groups

The Learning Disability team is multidisciplinary, and each service has its own specialist role, for more information on each service or if you wish to make a referral please contact the team admin, or each team directly.

Clinical Psychology 01738 562282
Community Learning Disability Nursing 01738 562270
LDISS Senior Charge Nurse 01738 562248
Music Therapy 01382 831971
Nutrition & Dietetics 01382 831971
Occupational Therapy 01738 562261
Physiotherapy 01738 562312
Speech and Language Therapy 01382 346005
Psychiatry 01738 562314