Learning disabilities inquiry calls for healthcare evidence

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.

Submit evidence here
 

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