This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6432447.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Learning disability deaths probe | Learning disability deaths probe |
(about 7 hours later) | |
An independent inquiry is to be launched after a charity highlighted six deaths of people with learning disabilities in NHS care. | An independent inquiry is to be launched after a charity highlighted six deaths of people with learning disabilities in NHS care. |
Mencap's report says there is widespread ignorance in the NHS which has resulted in "institutional abuse". | Mencap's report says there is widespread ignorance in the NHS which has resulted in "institutional abuse". |
In each case, there are concerns the necessary care was not given because of the person's disability. | In each case, there are concerns the necessary care was not given because of the person's disability. |
The Department of Health said the inquiry would also look at the national implications of the cases. | The Department of Health said the inquiry would also look at the national implications of the cases. |
Mencap says the NHS staff who were looking after the six cases may not have consciously discriminated against the patients, but that there is a lack of training and understanding of how to care for people with learning disabilities. | Mencap says the NHS staff who were looking after the six cases may not have consciously discriminated against the patients, but that there is a lack of training and understanding of how to care for people with learning disabilities. |
The cases described in Mencap's report are:- | The cases described in Mencap's report are:- |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Mark's father, Allan, said: "I believe that if my son had not had a learning disability, he would still be with us today. The discrimination and indifference my family faced was shocking. | |
"The medical staff had such poor understanding of Mark's needs." | |
'Unnecessary deaths' | 'Unnecessary deaths' |
Dame Jo Williams, Mencap's chief executive, said people with a learning disability continued to receive worse healthcare than those without a disability. | |
I was shocked to hear of these findings concerning people with learning disabilities Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt class="" href="/1/hi/health/6436025.stm">'My daughter was failed' | |
"Despite government recognition of the inequalities experienced by people with a learning disability within NHS care, there has been no commitment to tackle them," she said. | |
"It is an outrage that the solutions to this problem have long been recognised, and yet action has not been taken." | "It is an outrage that the solutions to this problem have long been recognised, and yet action has not been taken." |
She welcomed the inquiry into the six deaths but said a further "long promised" confidential inquiry was still needed to investigate the extent of the problem. | |
"If action is not taken to eliminate institutional discrimination from our health services, people with a learning disability will continue to die unnecessarily." | "If action is not taken to eliminate institutional discrimination from our health services, people with a learning disability will continue to die unnecessarily." |
Mencap is also calling for major improvements to the investigation of complaints against the health service | |
The charity says a 2001 White Paper admitted that people with learning disabilities face inequalities. | |
It says recent cases of "institutional abuse" found at NHS primary care trusts in Cornwall and Sutton and Merton, which included physical and sexual abuse, show discriminatory practices still exist. | |
Quality of care | Quality of care |
A Disability Rights Commission investigation last year found people with learning disabilities were less likely to receive the healthcare they need. | A Disability Rights Commission investigation last year found people with learning disabilities were less likely to receive the healthcare they need. |
Heath Secretary Patricia Hewitt, who is due to meet the families involved in the cases, said: "I was shocked to hear of these findings concerning people with learning disabilities, particularly in light of the other cases that have come to my attention over the past year, such as the disturbing events in Cornwall and at Sutton and Merton PCT. | Heath Secretary Patricia Hewitt, who is due to meet the families involved in the cases, said: "I was shocked to hear of these findings concerning people with learning disabilities, particularly in light of the other cases that have come to my attention over the past year, such as the disturbing events in Cornwall and at Sutton and Merton PCT. |
"It is obvious that while parts of NHS delivers excellent care to people with learning disabilities, there are other areas that do not reach this necessary standard." | |
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the British Medical Association's head of ethics, welcomed the independent inquiry. | |
"People with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems have every right to the same level of healthcare as the rest of the population and as doctors, we believe it is unacceptable for their needs to be ignored," she said. | |
Do you know someone with learning disabilities who hasn't received the healthcare they need? Do you work in the medical profession? Send us your experiences. | |
name="say"> |
Previous version
1
Next version