Women And Equalities Committee Report – Care England Reaction

Today, the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) published a report calling on the Government to investigate why eligible people are not on the learning disability register. People with a learning disability can ask to go on the register, which entitles them to receive reasonable adjustments such as support with making decisions and access to an annual health check. Despite this, around 75% of people with a learning disability are not registered and many struggle to convince their GP and practice staff to add them to the register.

In response, Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says:

“We echo the calls of the WEC for the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to take action to increase registration, enabling better access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities. For many, annual health checks are the first point of call in the healthcare system, and can be a lifesaving measure in identifying.

Access to health checks is particularly vital in light of last year’s Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) report, which showed people with a learning disability are almost two times more likely to die avoidable deaths than those without. With access, people can take preventive measures and develop health action plans to close the gap in avoidable deaths.

The recommendations in today’s report will go a way to reduce the health inequalities that are so stark for people with learning disabilities, and Care England urges the relevant bodies to act.”