Open Letter Calls on Prime Minister to Tackle Health Inequalities for People with Learning Disabilities
Members of Learning Disability England (LDE) have delivered an open letter to 10 Downing Street calling on the Prime Minister to make improving the health of people with learning disabilities a national priority.
Backed by more than 1,200 signatories, including people with learning disabilities, family members, support organisations and allies, the letter urges the Government to address the significant health inequalities that continue to affect the 1.3 million people with learning disabilities living in England.
The letter highlights a number of long-standing concerns, including the continued gap in life expectancy for people with learning disabilities, preventable deaths, a decline in specialist learning disability nursing numbers, barriers to accessing healthcare, and the lack of a dedicated national strategy focused on the health of people with learning disabilities.
Signatories are calling on the Prime Minister to support the creation of a new national NHS programme for people with learning disabilities, co-led by a person with a learning disability and co-produced with people who have lived experience. The proposed programme would place healthcare for people with learning disabilities at the centre of NHS planning and provide clear accountability for improving outcomes.
The delegation, which included representatives from Learning Disability England and sector partners, delivered the letter earlier this month. Among those attending was Mary Woodall, Member of Campaign 4 Change, Achieve together’s pioneering self-advocacy group.
Mary is currently on the Representative Body of Learning Disability England, and she joined fellow advocates in ensuring the voices of people with learning disabilities were heard at the heart of Government.
Mary Woodall, Member of Campaign 4 Change, Co-Chair of Unity, and Learning Disability England Representative Body Member said: “People with learning disabilities face unacceptable health inequalities and are overlooked when it comes to NHS planning. Delivering this letter to Downing Street was a chance for us to remind the Government that people with learning disabilities deserve the same chance to live healthy, fulfilling lives as everyone else.”
The letter acknowledges positive developments, including the rollout of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism, and new guidance under the Mental Health Act and Down Syndrome Act. However, campaigners say more co-ordinated action is needed to deliver meaningful and lasting change.
Learning Disability England is also encouraging additional supporters to sign the open letter. An updated version, including further signatories, will be sent to the new Prime Minister in the coming weeks.
The campaign builds on Learning Disability England’s Good Lives Framework, developed with and led by people with learning disabilities, which outlines what is needed to achieve equal, inclusive and healthy lives.
Jack Marshall, Kate Chate and Tim Keilty, Co-Chairs of the Representative Body, which represents Learning Disability England members, concluded: “With many NHS changes and no national plan, people are telling us they are worried about the future. A new learning disability strategy with power behind it is the way to ensure that all NHS services are focused on closing the gaps, so people with learning disabilities don’t fall through them.
“There are some examples of good healthcare where people with learning disabilities and their families are listened to, but this is not the norm. We know from research – and too many families’ real experiences – that the consequences of falling through the gaps for people with a learning disability are catastrophic.”
