Executive to review health needs of people with learning difficulties

The Scottish executive has launched a review into the
contribution of nurses and midwives to the care of people with
learning difficulties.

Malcolm Chisholm, minister for health and community care, said:
“Children and adults with disabilities have always lived in the
community, yet in reality we are only now beginning to seriously
address their health needs.”

The minister has asked the Public Health Institute of Scotland
to carry out a national needs assessment which will be used to
inform the future development of health services. The executive
admits that the exact number of people with learning difficulties
is not known, but is estimated to be 2 or 3 per cent of the
population or around 120,000 people.