Intellectual disability nursing for people with profound intellectual disabilities and complex needs

People with profound intellectual disabilities and complex needs are recognised as requiring intensive and extensive support needs in nearly all aspects of living across the lifespan. Historically, social exclusion, and simultaneously poorer experiences of social and healthcare services have resulted in this group of people being marginalised and discriminated against when it came to accessing services in comparison to the general population. The role of the intellectual disability nurse in supporting, and where necessary providing, direct care for this group of people is particularly relevant because of the high levels of dependence they may have on others throughout their lives.