Sally Wilson is a registered nurse in learning disabilities who has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including community nursing, nursing homes, respite and acute care. Sally Wilson is a Registered Nurse for Learning Disabilities who has worked in a variety of clinical settings including community nursing, nursing homes, respite and acute care.

Sally qualified in 1998 and started working in an assessment and treatment unit for people with learning disabilities and mental health illness. She then worked with older adults with learning disabilities, supporting long term conditions and end of life care in nursing home settings. Sally went on to manage a respite service for adults and children with learning disabilities and complex needs, before joining a community team where she worked in both primary and secondary care. In 2014 she joined an acute team as a Matron for Vulnerable Patients and Safeguarding Adults Lead in a district and general hospital before taking a Professional Lead role with the Royal College of Nursing. She completed a master’s in advanced nursing studies, graduating in 2021 the content of her masters had a clear focus on vulnerable patients, safeguarding, and the Mental Capacity Act.

Sally chose a career in learning disability nursing after working as a care assistant for 2 years, during which time she learned the essentials of care delivery. She would describe herself as being adaptable enough to recognise the need to change within the profession, flexible enough to change her clinical practice when needed, and tenacious enough to promote a strong ethical base to colleagues.

Sally has been passionately committed to the care of older people for many years and seeks to continue to advocate for this patient group and improve quality of care delivery at all levels.