Young disabled people `let down` by executive

Younger disabled people have been let down by the Scottish
executive according to Capability Scotland as free personal care
was introduced for older people with care needs.

According to Capability Scotland the Royal Commission on Long
Term Care for the Elderly chaired by Lord Sutherland said many of
its recommendations could apply to young disabled people too.

In January 2002, following a campaign involving a range of
agencies, Hugh Henry, then deputy minister for community care,
promised that the executive would look at the needs of younger
disabled people, yet no progress has been made.

Michelle Hegarty, director of communication for Capability
Scotland, said: “The whole debate around fixing long term care
provision has centred on age rather than care needs. We received a
commitment in January to look at the position of younger disabled
people – we call on the executive today to honour that
commitment.”