15.02.12
‘Avoidable’ learning disability deaths – Mencap
74 deaths under NHS care over the last decade could have been avoided, according to Mencap, which suggests that the deaths of people with learning disabilities were the direct result of institutional discrimination.
The new report, ‘Death by Indifference: 74 Deaths and Counting’, shows that there have been some positive steps since the original report was published in 2007, but that many health professionals are still failing to provide adequate care for people with learning disabilities.
NHS staff failed to abide by disability discrimination law, ignored crucial advice from families, failed to meet basic care needs, did not recognise pain or distress and caused delays in diagnosing and treating serious illness, Mencap claimed.
Mencap said it believed this was underpinned by an assumption by some healthcare professionals that people with a learning disability are not worth treating.
Mark Goldring, Mencap chief executive, said: “The report confirms that five years on from our landmark Death by Indifference report many parts of the NHS still do not understand how to treat people with a learning disability.
“At Mencap we continue to hear heartbreaking stories of unnecessary deaths and pain. Sadly we believe that these cases are just the tip of the iceberg.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “This Government has made very clear its commitment to improve the health of people with learning disabilities.
“We share Mencap’s concerns that some people with learning disabilities may not be receiving the high-quality healthcare that they should expect.”
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