Support for people with a learning disability or autism

Coming to an appointment

Going to hospital when you are neurodivergent or have a learning disability can be scary, especially if you don’t know what to expect. We want to make sure that when you are coming to the hospital or one of our health centres for an appointment, you feel comfortable with what will happen when you are there.

We want our hospital and clinics to be friendly and welcoming for people with neurodiversity, learning disabilities or other cognitive conditions that may make it more difficult for you to be in a medical environment.

Sometimes visiting a hospital in advance of your treatment can help, especially with young children. Where that is not possible, having a look at a map beforehand so you know where you are going, may make you feel more comfortable.

Our friendly volunteers are dotted around the hospital site; in reception and some of our busier waiting areas. They are there to make your visit as stress free as possible, so please do ask them if you need any help or aren’t sure of something.

We also have a specialist team of nurses who are here to provide support to you, and your carer if you have one, when you come to hospital for an appointment or to receive care.

They’ll make sure that you, and the people looking after you, get the best care possible that is adapted to your needs.

They’ll help you understand the care you are receiving, and any treatment you may need to have.

They can also help make sure you have a special health passport, which is a place for you to add all the things that you need extra support with, so we can get it right when you visit.

Hospitals and clinics can be noisy, with equipment and unfamiliar sounds. Our Bolton NHS Charity have funded a number of noise cancelling headphones which you can access during your appointment by speaking to a member of staff.

If you’ve broken a bone, our plaster room have made this helpful booklet to show you exactly what will happen if you need to have a cast is fitted.

Each department will have their own ways of doing things, so it depends which one you are visiting as to who you will see.

Making it easier for you

We will always work with you to put things in place so that visiting or receiving care in hospital feels easier and less stressful. These may include:

• Longer or quieter appointment slots
• Support with communication (visual prompts, easy-read information, or social stories)
• Allowing someone familiar to stay with you
• Adjustments for sensory needs, such as reduced lighting or noise
• Flexible care approaches for procedures or assessments

If you have a hospital passport, communication plan, or any specific needs, please bring them with you or tell us in advance so we can prepare.

If you or someone you care for has a learning disability, autism, or cognitive needs, and you would like advice before attending hospital, please contact our specialist teams. They can help you plan your visit, identify needed adjustments, and make sure services are ready to provide the right support.

Specialist support if you have learning disabilities

At the hospital, we have a small team of specialist nurses who will support you when you have to attend an appointment or if you are staying on one of our wards.

You can contact them before your appointment to find out more about how they can help you, on 01204 390390 ext. 143878.

Specialist support if you are neurodivergent

Whilst we cannot remove the need for noisy equipment and often busy waiting areas, we are taking steps to improve our environments wherever possible.

In certain areas, such as the plaster room at the hospital, Our Bolton NHS Charity has funded LED ceiling panels and a sensory wall to minimise distress for patients waiting in this environment.

We support the delivery of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training to ensure staff have the confidence, knowledge and skills to care for people with a learning disability and autistic people. 

Support for children with learning disabilities

Our Paediatric Learning Disabilities Team is here to support children with learning disabilities and their families. They also work closely with hospital staff to make sure any child with additional needs receives the right help and adjustments during their stay.