Community Care's A Life Like Any Other campaign is calling for people with learning disabilities to be given the same chances in life as everyone else, including the right to proper healthcare.
Now, following a damning Mencap report on the deaths of six people with learning disabilities under the care of the NHS, an independent inquiry is calling for evidence on how people are treated by health services.
While people with learning disabilities often have worse health than other people, they do not always get access to the healthcare and treatment they need. Care services minister Ivan Lewis has admitted the system is “indifferent” to people with learning disabilities.
The independent inquiry, chaired by Sir Jonathan Michael, formerly the Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, wants to hear how current practice could be improved as well as examples of good practice from people with learning disabilities, parents, carers and professionals.
The inquiry team will report within a year.
Evidence should be submitted by the end of September. Easy read response forms are available.
Related items
Death by Indifference
A Life Like Any Other Government launches inquiry after Lewis speaks of NHS 'indifference'
Learning disabilities: NHS pledges annual health checks
05 September 2008
Professionals tell fpa of barriers to sex for learning disabled
04 August 2008
Birmingham social worker nominated for Booker prize
30 July 2008
News round up: Social worker nominated for Booker prize
30 July 2008
Youth Justice and the Youth Justice Board
26 August 2008
Substance misuse
15 August 2008
Details of government consultations
21 August 2008
Private Member Bills
25 July 2008
Government Legislation
25 July 2008
