Better care needed for patients with learning disabilities

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People with learning disabilities are "diagnostically overshadowed" and need better all-round treatment on the NHS, a Labour MP has said

Speaking in a Westminster Hall Tom Clarke, (Lab, Coatbridge, Chrysten and Bellshill) highlighted the need to improve communication, and close the gap on the number people with learning disabilities who do not gain adequate treatment.

He said almost half of doctors, and a third of nurses believe that people with learning disabilities receive a poorer standard of health care than the rest of the population.

Clarke told MPs: "This is not an attack on the NHS institution that is treasured and cherished across country and all sides of house rightly proud of.

"People with learning disabilities are more likely to develop major illness and die younger then those without."

This is more than just people with health problems, it is also a wide range of physical, social, cultural factors; the resulting problem is called "diagnostic overshadowing where physical disabilities are overlooked," said Clarke.

This problem does not simply exist in the NHS, but public sector as a whole, and the wider social framework, and for the government to commit to eradicating equality, discrimination and a lack of understanding in the NHS.

He asked the new government to commit to Mencap's "Getting it Right" campaign, for equal healthcare for all people with a learning disability.

Clarke said "the steps that have been taken to make tangible gains must continue" and not fall away due to spending cuts.

Chris Skidmore, (Con, Kingswood) called for better training for professionals in the NHS to deal with people with learning disabilities.

He welcomed the introduction last year of incentive payments for GPs to carry out annual health care checks for those with learning difficulties, but pointed to the problem of "only half the money allocated" for doctors being used, before underlining the issue of prevention.

Skidmore explained that plans to end top down managerial approach in the NHS is welcomed but what we need here is greater professional ownership.

He said: "Communication is at the heart of treatment, its how to get across that barrier."

Skidmore agreed with many of Clarkes' points, and called for better representation in the NHS for people with learning disabilities.

Responding for the government, health minister Paul Burstow said that better training, evidence and engagement were needed.

He said that front-line services will remain as they are now during the system migration, "but they will receive more support and investment to do even better".

Burstow said the NHS White Paper, set to be published on Monday 19 July could be "a catalyst to drive change", which would "end the command and control culture and make a system that is about delivering outcomes".

The minister said the debate underscored the value of health checks.

He also confirmed that advocacy services, and support for carers of those with learning disabilities were areas for future funding.