Government urged to make profound learning difficulties `critical priority`

People with profound learning difficulties and their carers must
be defined as a `critical priority’ for services, according to
charity Mencap.

Findings of a new survey published by the charity show that,
despite the high support needs of people with profound and multiple
learning difficulties, they and their families are not classified
as requiring critical help, and are largely unsupported.

Mencap believes the department of health’s new guidance on
eligibility criteria Fair Access to Services should ensure
that people with profound and multiple learning difficulties living
in the home are reclassified as “critical priority”.

The doh should also publish performance indicators for services
for people with profound and multiple learning difficulties,
setting out key targets for health and social services over a
five-year period, Mencap suggests.

Mencap chief executive Fred Heddell said: “Our report shows the
shocking lack of support that parents get with looking after their
son or daughter.”

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