Mencap's Concern At New NHS Performance Ratings Announced By The Healthcare Commission, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 22 Oct 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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Dame Jo Williams, chief executive of Mencap, said

"The performance ratings show that there is still a long way to go to improve the services for people with a learning disability. We are disappointed at the lost opportunity to tackle the inequalities that exist for people with a learning disability accessing healthcare.

"It is worrying that one of the worst performing areas is challenging discrimination and protecting the human rights of vulnerable individuals, such as people with a learning disability. Mencap's 'Death by Indifference' report published earlier this year highlights the six deaths of people with a learning disability, who died unnecessarily due to institutional discrimination within NHS care.

"The quality of services currently provided to people with a learning disability in the healthcare system is below standard and unacceptable in today's society. The Healthcare Commission must take action in fighting the institutional discrimination that exists so that people with a learning disability can access fair and equal healthcare."

- Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.

- 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.

- Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life.

- It is not mental illness. It is not dyslexia.

- It used to be called mental handicap but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.

- People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. That's why we fight to change laws and services, and directly support thousands of people to live their lives the way they want.

- For information about learning disability issues please visit http://www.askmencap.info

http://www.mencap.org.uk