MP supports Mencap ‘74 and counting’ report

During Health Questions on Tuesday, Madeleine Moon MP asked the Secretary of State for Health to take action following a report published by Mencap entitled ’74 deaths and counting.’

“Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): The Secretary of State says he acts on advice. May I advise him to read the horrendous report from Mencap that details the death of 74 people with learning disabilities due to a lack of basic care and a lack of understanding of the health care needs of people with learning disabilities? Will he follow the advice of Mencap and ensure that the undergraduate and postgraduate training of doctors and nurses includes intensive training in the needs of people with learning disabilities, so that there will be no further unnecessary deaths of people with learning disabilities due to neglect in NHS hospitals?

Mr Lansley: I am grateful for the hon. Lady’s question, and I am glad to say that I had a useful meeting with Mark Goldring of Mencap. I have read his report and, in response to what the hon. Lady has said, I would be glad to write to her and put a copy in the Library.”

Madeleine said

“The report documents the appalling treatment of people with learning disabilities by medical staff at NHS hospitals in England. It highlights cases where people with learning disabilities have been admitted to hospital and tragically died as a result of a lack of basic care. The overriding theme was of people with learning disabilities being neglected due to institutional discrimination and staff failing in their duty of care to vulnerable people.”

The report can be viewed through http://www.mencap.org.uk/news/article/74-deaths-and-counting.

“Mencap put forward a number of recommendations that I hope the NHS in England and Wales will take on board to prevent any further tragic deaths.”