Funding for learning difficulties services announced

Stephen Ladyman announced yesterday that services for people
with learning difficulties are set to receive over £41 million
in funding, writes Clare Jerrom.

 
Stephen Ladyman

The funding has been allocated to primary care trusts to provide
services through the Learning Disabilities Development Fund. The
Fund ensures that money which would have been used to support
residents in long-stay hospitals under previous regimes is now used
to ensure the aims set out in the White Paper Valuing People are
met.

“By doubling the amount of money given to primary care
trusts, I hope to ensure that existing areas of work will continue
to be priorities for health and social care services in addition to
the three new areas which will extend the reach of Valuing
People,” the community care minister said.

The three additional priorities for 2005-6 are:-

• day services modernisation

• redevelopment of the residential services developed by the
NHS as a result of the contraction or closure of NHD
hospitals

• support for people with learning difficulties from black
and minority ethnic communities.

Priority areas earmarked for funding in previous years have been
advocacy, person-centred planning and developing and supporting
leadership.

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