Learning Disability Service new

Information in accessible formats 

To access this service, individuals must meet the criteria of a Learning Disability.  

A learning disability is a significant, lifelong condition with 3 components:  
   

• A reduced ability to understand new or complex information or to learn new skills, in global rather than specific areas (impaired intelligence defined as an IQ below 70). 
• A reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social and adaptive functioning). 
• Onset before adulthood (before the age of 18) with a lasting effect on development. 
   

All three criteria must be present for a person to be considered to access our service. 

This definition of Learning Disability does not include people with learning difficulties such as: 

• Dyslexia or dyspraxia 
• Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) without additional presence of a Learning Disability 
• Learning Difficulties arising from sensory impairment 
• Brain injury acquired after the age of 18.  

The Learning Disability Service includes a Community Learning Disability Service, an Inpatient Service and a Children and Young Peoples Service.  

Referral routes

We run an open referral system and referrals can be by phone, letter or referral form.  We are available between 08.30- 16.30 Monday to Friday. 

Contact:  
Telephone: 01383 565 230 
Email: Fife.LDReferrals@nhs.scot 
SPOA coordinator, Learning Disability service  
Lynebank Hospital 
Halbeath Road  
Dunfermline 
KY11 8JH 

Community Service  

The Community Learning Disability Team provides specialist, individualised assessment, treatment and education to adults with a learning disability within community settings across Fife. The clinicians working within this service can also provide advice, education and support for families, carers and support services. The team includes multi-dispilinary team members such as: 

• Art Therapy  
• Dietetics  
• Nursing  
• Occupational therapy  
• Physiotherapy  
• Podiatry  
• Psychology  
• Psychiatry  
• Speech and Language

Inpatient Service  

Adult Learning Disability Inpatient Service is comprised of 3 Inpatient Wards based at Lynebank Hospital, Dunfermline:

• Tayview Ward, a two bed intensive treatment Unit,
• Daleview Ward, a 10 bed low secure forensic unit, which supports planned regional admissions.
• Mayfield Ward, a 13 bed assessment unit. Supporting planned admissions for adults. 

The service provides treatment and therapeutic interventions to patients with complex care needs who experience significant functional impairment. Treatment and interventions are provided by a multi-disciplinary team working in specific wards. The service works closely with other in-patient and community services, including Social Work and Voluntary / 3rd Sector providers. 

Children and Young People with Learning Disabilities 

The Children and Young People Service is a highly specialist team of mental health professionals who work with children with learning disabilities. This includes: nurses, health care support workers, psychologists, psychiatry, speech and language therapy, podiatry, dietetics, occupational therapy and admin staff. We provide a Fife-wide service to children and young people (up to 16 years or until school leaving) with a Global Developmental Delay (GDD) or Learning Disability (LD) who have behavioural, emotional, or psychological difficulties to a degree that impacts on the quality of individual and family life.