Press Release
4th August 2008
Action needed so people with learning disabilities are no longer invisible in the NHS
United Response has welcomed the publication of Healthcare for All, the report of the Independent Inquiry into access for healthcare for people with learning disabilities, but has urged for the call for change to be matched by action.
The report, chaired by Sir Michael, found clear evidence that people with learning disabilities have higher levels of unmet needs and receive less effective treatment than others.
Su Sayer OBE, United Response Chief Executive, said: "It is unacceptable that someone should find it harder to get good healthcare because they have a learning disability. Sir Jonathan Michael's report, along with the others that went before it highlighting poor practice and unequal treatment, presents indisputable evidence of the need for change in the NHS. What we need now is action.
"We know from our own experience that there are some excellent examples of good practice in the NHS, but, sadly, we have also witnessed ignorance, and people with learning disabilities being treated without respect or dignity.
"We need to ensure that healthcare organisations collect data so that the care of people with learning disabilities can be tracked to ensure they are no longer invisible within the NHS.
"Some actions will take time, such as mandatory training for all NHS staff. We welcome the recognition that the involvement of people with learning disabilities and their families and carers will be vital in providing and shaping training to make sure it is fit for purpose.
"Other recommendations however can and should be delivered immediately, such as involving family members and carers in a person's care and treatment as a matter of course.
"This report must not be left on a shelf to gather dust. We urge the Government to implement Sir Jonathan's recommendations as quickly as possible".
To read a copy of the report go to http://www.iahpld.org.uk/
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For more information please contact Sarah Bartlett or Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on020 8246 5237/ 020 8246 5122 or emailsarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk or jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.uk
Note to editors:
United Response is a national charity that works with people with learning disabilities or mental health needs – including some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
We provide everything from 24 hour care to a few hours of support a week. United Response is community based, working in many localities across England and Wales.
Our mission is to support people with learning disabilities or mental health needs to take control of their lives. We design our care and support around each person and work with them to achieve real inclusion, independence and citizenship for all. We support people across the whole spectrum of learning disability and mental health and have developed a range of specialisms in working with people with the most complex needs, particularly person-centred active support.
We are working towards a society where people with learning disabilities or mental health needs are equal participants and have access to the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
We have won several awards for our pioneering work and for being a top employer. In 2007 alone, we were highly commended by the Charity Awards for our “Good To Great” approach to providing support, while the Charity Times named us one of the best six charities to work for in the UK. We are experts in the development of accessible communications.
United Response was founded in 1973 by chief executive Su Sayer. We are a top 100 charity, supporting more than 1,500 people throughout the UK at any one time and employing more than 2,000 staff.