Health equality for patients with learning disabilities and autism
Findings from a UK university pilot implementing the Oliver McGowan Training
Project e-books
- Gavrielides, T., Ntow, E. G., Squillante, N. (2025). Health equality for patients with autism and learning disabilities – Findings from a UK university pilot implementing the Oliver McGowan Training, London: RJ4All Publications, ISBN: 978-1-80463-073-0, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24041.56167
- Gavrielides, T., Ntow, E. G., Squillante, N. (2025). Health equality for patients with autism and learning disabilities – Findings from a UK university pilot implementing the Oliver McGowan Training, London: RJ4All Publications, ISBN: 978-1-80463-073-0, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24041.56167
- Nothing about us, without us: Addressing Health Inequalities for Patients with Learning Difficulties and Autism – Interim findings
eBooks
Other relevant documents
The National Development Team for Inclusion (NTDi) evaluation of the pilot trainings (& full report here)
Involving experts by experience in the design and delivery of the training report
Oliver McGowan draft code of practice on statutory learning disability and autism training
In 2016, a young man, Oliver McGowan, died after a severe reaction to medication. Oliver was 18 at the time and had mild cerebral palsy, partial seizures, and a mild learning disability. He also had high functioning autism. The medication caused his brain to swell severely and he died in intensive care. Oliver and his family had told medical staff that he had reacted badly to antipsychotic medication in the past. During the same year, Oliver’s Campaign was born led by Oliver’s mother, Paula McGowan OBE, who believes that all health and social care staff need appropriate and meaningful training to help them to understand people who have a learning disability and autistic people.
Oliver’s death highlighted the need for better training and awareness of health and social care providers and as a result the Oliver McGowan Training on learning disabilities and autism was created. This is NHS England’s preferred training course for meeting the requirements of the Health and Care Act 2022 (HCA) for “Mandatory Training on Learning Disabilities and Autism for all registered nurses and other healthcare professionals”.
As part of this effort, Buckinghamshire New University has been commissioned from NHS England to pilot Oliver’s training with its nursing and midwifery students. Ultimately, the pilot aims to test whether the statutory requirement of the HCA can best be served, and health inequality is more effectively addressed, if the mandatory training is introduced as part of the training curriculum at the pre-registration stage for all those aspiring to deliver healthcare services through the NHS and service providers registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Project Partners
The project was carried out in partnership with: Buckinghamshire Health and Social Care Academy (BHSCA), Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) and NHS England. The project was also in close contact with Oliver’s Campaign and Paula McGowan OBE
The Hypothesis and the project
I was asked to lead on a research project that will measure the impact of the training through a pilot that is being carried out at BNU. I identified a need to understand the impact of the training at pre-registration stage and the implications that this has on:
- prospective nurses and other healthcare professionals such as midwives
- future employers, educators with an emphasis on Higher Education Institutions such as universities
- NHS England and other relevant stakeholders including central and local government.
Our tested hypothesis was: The integration of the Oliver McGowan Training into Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) approved pre-qualifying Curricula can better serve the aims of the Health and Care Act 2022, and help address health inequalities.
The project reported in September 2025 and involved a multi-disciplinary, mix-methods primary research with students and staff at BNU, registered nurses and midwifes, potential and current training providers and employers. This page gives access to the various surveys and associated documents that formed part of the project.
Research Ethics, AI & GDPR
This research has received research ethics approval by an independent research ethics board comprising of leading academics in the field area. Evidence of research ethics approval is available upon request.
Moreover, this research is carried out in compliance with:
The Social Research Association Research Ethics Guidance.
UKRI’s Policy on the Governance of Good Research Practice
We did not use AI for data analysis or report writing. AI was used for minute taking (edited). We are committed to ensuring that all research conducted conforms with high ethical principles. Individuals’ sensitive data are treated in the strictest confidence, and we abide by the General Data Protection Regulation (2018).
“Oliver’s story stands as powerful evidence of why the human right to be involved in decision-making, and the need to truly listen to patients and their families, must never be underestimated. His experience revealed the devastating consequences when those rights are ignored. It also laid bare how far behind we remain, as a modern society, in recognising and treating autistic people and those with a learning disability with the dignity, respect, and equality they deserve, whether in healthcare, education, justice, or even in our day-to-day interactions. Despite this, very little research has sought to explore the deep gaps that persist in healthcare provision, or to identify evidence-based solutions to address these injustices. That is why I warmly welcome the findings of this NHS-funded research project, under the leadership of Professor Gavrielides, and commend the pioneering work of Buckinghamshire New University in piloting this study. My hope is that this pilot will not only continue but will be replicated across the country. ”