Thousands of lives at risk from shortage of NHS learning disability liaison nurses

Nearly 60 per cent of British people are losing faith in the NHS, with people with learning disabilities being mistreated given as a key reason, according to a survey by Mencap.

The reason for poor care of patients has been attributed to a lack of awareness and training on learning disabilities.

The chief executive of Mencap, Jan Tregelles said: “With winter fast approaching, we must ask the Government how it plans to care for the most vulnerable individuals in our society during this time. In recent years, the NHS has struggled to cope with the pressures that winter brings, so we fear what this will mean for people with a learning disability and the quality of care they receive in the NHS.”

Research conducted by the University of Bristol has revealed that 1,200 people with learning disabilities die every year as a result of care received by the NHS. The study titled ‘The Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities’ (CIPOLD) receives funding from the Department of Health.

Of 247 people who were surveyed, 22 per cent were under 50 when they died. The results indicated that men with learning disabilities, died 13 years sooner than men within the general population and women with learning disabilities died 20 years sooner than those without.

Ms Tregelles continued: “In order to tackle the unacceptable inequalities that people with a learning disability face in the NHS, greater learning disability training and awareness is fundamental. Hospital staff must no longer write-off someone’s illness as a consequence of their disability and they must start listening to what families have to say.

“What’s more, we know that the right training and awareness is critical. Where professionals such as learning disability liaison nurses are in post, they have made a really positive difference to the experiences and health outcomes of people with a learning disability.”

A freedom of information request made by Mencap revealed that of 125 NHS Acute Trusts surveyed within England, 42 per cent did not have a learning disability liaison nurse and 49 per cent had a full time learning disability liaison nurse. Of all Trusts surveyed, no Trust could offer round the clock access to a learning disability liaison nurse.

Ms Tregelles said: “The Government must take action to ensure that people with a learning disability get the high quality healthcare they need and put an end to this scandal of avoidable deaths. No more excuses - people with a learning disability and their families deserve better.”

Mencap’s latest campaign, ‘Hear my voice’ provides a platform for people with learning disabilities, care and support workers and family members to allow them to share any issues in time of the 2015 General Election.

The campaign is requesting that hospital staff receive better learning disability training to help end prejudice and the number of deaths as a result of poor care. ‘Hear my voice’ is campaigning to ensure that there are learning disability liaison nurses in all hospital Trusts, to provide people with learning disabilities with adequate support from professionals.

Mencap offers support to those with learning disabilities, families and care workers as well as working to amend laws, improve education, employment and leisure opportunities.

For more information visit: www.mencap.org.uk