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| Disabled 'face suffering in NHS' | Disabled 'face suffering in NHS' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| People with learning disabilities are suffering and even dying as laws to protect them are ignored by the NHS in England, says an inquiry report. | People with learning disabilities are suffering and even dying as laws to protect them are ignored by the NHS in England, says an inquiry report. |
| The independent inquiry, launched after the deaths of six patients, called for tougher inspections and more training for staff. | The independent inquiry, launched after the deaths of six patients, called for tougher inspections and more training for staff. |
| However, it said new laws to ensure equal access were not needed. | However, it said new laws to ensure equal access were not needed. |
| Learning disability charities welcomed the report - but one said there was a danger little action would be taken. | Learning disability charities welcomed the report - but one said there was a danger little action would be taken. |
| The challenge is to make it work as effectively for people with learning disabilities as anyone else Sir Jonathan MichaelInquiry Chairman | The challenge is to make it work as effectively for people with learning disabilities as anyone else Sir Jonathan MichaelInquiry Chairman |
| The inquiry was chaired by Sir Jonathan Michael, a former chief executive of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. | The inquiry was chaired by Sir Jonathan Michael, a former chief executive of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. |
| It was established following a report by the charity Mencap, published in March 2007, which highlighted six specific cases. | It was established following a report by the charity Mencap, published in March 2007, which highlighted six specific cases. |
| The inquiry was tasked with examining the treatment of people with learning disabilities in the NHS across England. | The inquiry was tasked with examining the treatment of people with learning disabilities in the NHS across England. |
| Sir Jonathan said that existing guidelines and laws - such as the Disability Discrimination Act - aimed at making sure that people with learning disabilities got equal treatment were not being followed. | Sir Jonathan said that existing guidelines and laws - such as the Disability Discrimination Act - aimed at making sure that people with learning disabilities got equal treatment were not being followed. |
| He said: "We do not need a new framework - the legislation is already in place. | He said: "We do not need a new framework - the legislation is already in place. |
| Mark Cannon died after being admitted to hospital with a broken leg | Mark Cannon died after being admitted to hospital with a broken leg |
| "The challenge is to make it work as effectively for people with learning disabilities as anyone else, and I know that there are many examples of good practice to show us the way." | "The challenge is to make it work as effectively for people with learning disabilities as anyone else, and I know that there are many examples of good practice to show us the way." |
| The inquiry recommended that hospital trusts should have to show they had taken the needs of people with learning disabilities into account when planning services, making "reasonable adjustments" where required. | The inquiry recommended that hospital trusts should have to show they had taken the needs of people with learning disabilities into account when planning services, making "reasonable adjustments" where required. |
| Healthcare inspectors should be given the job of assessing this, it said. It also called for the setting up of a "National Confidential Inquiry" to monitor the response of the NHS in future years. | Healthcare inspectors should be given the job of assessing this, it said. It also called for the setting up of a "National Confidential Inquiry" to monitor the response of the NHS in future years. |
| 'Death by indifference' | 'Death by indifference' |
| Dame Jo Williams, Mencap's chief executive, said: "It proves that people with a learning disability are being discriminated against in the NHS, which is leading to unnecessary pain and death. | Dame Jo Williams, Mencap's chief executive, said: "It proves that people with a learning disability are being discriminated against in the NHS, which is leading to unnecessary pain and death. |
| While the report it is to be welcomed, it must not be allowed to join the growing pile of paper promises that people with a learning disability have become used to Alison Giraud-SaundersFoundation for People with Learning Disabilities | While the report it is to be welcomed, it must not be allowed to join the growing pile of paper promises that people with a learning disability have become used to Alison Giraud-SaundersFoundation for People with Learning Disabilities |
| "It is clear that there is a desperate need for mandatory learning disability training for all health care professionals, and for people with a learning disability and their families and carers to be at the centre of all decisions made surrounding their healthcare." | "It is clear that there is a desperate need for mandatory learning disability training for all health care professionals, and for people with a learning disability and their families and carers to be at the centre of all decisions made surrounding their healthcare." |
| Mencap's own report, "Death by indifference", included the cases of Martin Ryan, a 43-year-old with Down's syndrome and autism who died after going without food for 26 days while in hospital following a stroke. | Mencap's own report, "Death by indifference", included the cases of Martin Ryan, a 43-year-old with Down's syndrome and autism who died after going without food for 26 days while in hospital following a stroke. |
| His mother Anne said: "They did not listen to us, and we knew Martin better than anybody. We were totally ignored." | His mother Anne said: "They did not listen to us, and we knew Martin better than anybody. We were totally ignored." |
| Other cases highlighted included that of Emma Kemp, who, despite being given a 50% chance of survival after a cancer diagnosis, was not treated immediately after doctors said she would not co-operate. | Other cases highlighted included that of Emma Kemp, who, despite being given a 50% chance of survival after a cancer diagnosis, was not treated immediately after doctors said she would not co-operate. |
| Also featured was Mark Cannon, a 30-year-old with a learning disability, died in 2003 eight weeks after being admitted to hospital with a broken leg. | Also featured was Mark Cannon, a 30-year-old with a learning disability, died in 2003 eight weeks after being admitted to hospital with a broken leg. |
| His father, Allan, said at the time of the Mencap report, that he believed his son would have survived were it not for his disability. | His father, Allan, said at the time of the Mencap report, that he believed his son would have survived were it not for his disability. |
| "The medical staff had such poor understanding of Mark's needs," he said. | "The medical staff had such poor understanding of Mark's needs," he said. |
| All six cases have also been investigated by the Health Service Ombudsman, which is expected to deliver its findings later in the year. | All six cases have also been investigated by the Health Service Ombudsman, which is expected to deliver its findings later in the year. |
| Response promised | Response promised |
| Alison Giraud-Saunders, from the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, said: "While the report it is to be welcomed, it must not be allowed to join the growing pile of paper promises that people with a learning disability have become used to." | Alison Giraud-Saunders, from the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, said: "While the report it is to be welcomed, it must not be allowed to join the growing pile of paper promises that people with a learning disability have become used to." |
| "Immediate action needs to be taken to implement the inquiry's recommendations." | "Immediate action needs to be taken to implement the inquiry's recommendations." |
| Disability charity Scope said disability equality training should be made compulsory for all NHS staff. | |
| Jon Sparkes, chief executive, said: "Too often disabled people face discrimination from within the health service for a number of reasons - from ignorance about their impairment to outright prejudice." | |
| Health Secretary Alan Johnson said that a full response to the inquiry's recommendations would be published later this year. | Health Secretary Alan Johnson said that a full response to the inquiry's recommendations would be published later this year. |
| He said: "Any substandard treatment of people with learning disabilities in healthcare is completely unacceptable and I am determined to make sure we do everything we can to eliminate it." | He said: "Any substandard treatment of people with learning disabilities in healthcare is completely unacceptable and I am determined to make sure we do everything we can to eliminate it." |