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Gaps in learning disability care Gaps in learning disability care
(about 10 hours later)
Support for people with learning disabilities in Wales is fragmented leaving some living far away from their families, according to a new report. Support for people with learning disabilities in Wales is fragmented, leaving some living far away from their families, according to a new report.
The Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) review said there were major gaps in the system, especially at school leaving age.The Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) review said there were major gaps in the system, especially at school leaving age.
Patients should be offered the chance to live near their families, said HIW which made 27 recommendations in all. Patients should be offered the chance to live near their families, said HIW, which made 27 recommendations in all.
Around 60,000 people in Wales have some form of learning disability. About 60,000 people in Wales have some form of learning disability.
The HIW review came in the wake of a 2006 English report which found "significant failings" in learning disability services provided by Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust.The HIW review came in the wake of a 2006 English report which found "significant failings" in learning disability services provided by Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust.
Inspectors visited units, wards and residential establishments and discussed care provision with staff, service users, their families and carers.Inspectors visited units, wards and residential establishments and discussed care provision with staff, service users, their families and carers.
The HIW found that young adults are often left at a dead end when they leave the education system and their families have to struggle for the right support. The HIW found that young adults are often left at a dead end when they left the education system and their families had to struggle for the right support.
Families find it very difficult to visit if it is several hundred miles away Liz Neil, Mencap Cymru I have never felt trapped and suffocated before, even though we have a disabled boy... it's been the most disabling event Usha Sarangi, mother of Rakesh
Concern was also raised about the number of people being placed in residential care far away from home, often at a huge cost to local authorities.Concern was also raised about the number of people being placed in residential care far away from home, often at a huge cost to local authorities.
Inspectors found that in 60 cases people were placed in residential care across the border in England. Inspectors found in 60 cases people were placed in residential care across the border in England.
Liz Neil, from the charity Mencap Cymru, said that this put a huge strain on clients and their families. Liz Neil, from the charity Mencap Cymru, said this put a huge strain on clients and their families.
"Families find it very difficult to visit if it is several hundred miles away," she said. "It is expensive, it is time consuming, it is difficult to maintain regular and consistent contact. People on the whole lose their friendships."
"It is expensive, it is time consuming, it is difficult to maintain regular and consistent contact. Mandy Collins of HIW said young people with learning disabilities and their families often felt let down after they left school.
"People on the whole loose their friendships." "They have been supported through the child sections of life but in adulthood they have to reapply for services," she said.
Mandy Collins, from HIW, said young people with learning disabilities and their families often felt "let down" after they left school. 'Alternative services'
"They have been supported through the child sections of life but in adulthood they have to re-apply for services," she said. It is a situation Usha Sarangi and her family found themselves in after her son Rakesh turned 20.
"Alternative services" Rakesh, who has cerebral palsy and needs constant care, attended a specialist school near the family home in Cardiff until last year.
"It is about finding alternative services for them to access." "It was the most difficult and most appalling period of our life as a whole as a family," she said, of the lack of care and support Rakesh received after leaving school.
Care standards were also criticised and the review highlighted regional and sector differences in care provision. "I have never felt trapped and suffocated before, even though we have a disabled boy. It's been the most disabling event."
Care standards were also criticised in the review, which highlighted regional and sector differences in care provision.
A "stagnation" in services for people with learning disabilities was also found.A "stagnation" in services for people with learning disabilities was also found.
Among the HIW recommendations were to improve the quality and depth of activities and therapies available to people.Among the HIW recommendations were to improve the quality and depth of activities and therapies available to people.
It also called for more investment in speech and language therapy and better policies to aid a smooth transition for children with a learning disability into adulthood.It also called for more investment in speech and language therapy and better policies to aid a smooth transition for children with a learning disability into adulthood.
The quality and availability of training for staff also needed to be improved, said the report. HIW chief executive Peter Higson said while there had been improvements, there was still room to get better.
Chief Executive of HIW, Dr Peter Higson, said that while there had been improvements in the way people with learning disabilities lived their lives in the last 20 or so years, there was still room for improvement.
"The quality and depth of activities necessary for supporting people to reach their maximum potential differs considerably throughout Wales and we identified 'institutionalised comfort' wherein people are well cared for in terms of fundamentals but lack stimulation," said Dr Higson."The quality and depth of activities necessary for supporting people to reach their maximum potential differs considerably throughout Wales and we identified 'institutionalised comfort' wherein people are well cared for in terms of fundamentals but lack stimulation," said Dr Higson.
Mencap Cymru said it was concerned the report had found that services were stagnating but supported the recommendations.