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LINk join forces to help NHS ‘get it right’
LINk Devon have joined forces with Mencap and The Devon Parliament Project to help NHS ‘get it right' when treating people with a learning disability.
Getting it right was the focus of Mencap's Learning Disability Week 2010 (21-27th June) and called on health professionals to commit to a charter that will help make real changes and save lives.
The campaign event took place at St Sidwells Community Centre, Exeter where one person a minute signed up to show their support for the Getting it right campaign along with Local M.P's and health professionals.
Mencap's Death by indifference report (2007) identified six cases where indifference and a lack of understanding among doctors and nurses had tragic consequences. From talking to families and individuals, it became clear that these were not isolated cases, but a sign of a wider problem.
Jo Fox, Mencap's Community and Development Officer for Devon said: "It is great to see organisations coming together to give a stronger voice to help ‘get it right' in the NHS when treating people with a learning disability. Everyone has a right to the best possible healthcare if they fall ill. As a consequence, NHS Devon have pledged commitment to our charter. There is much good work in Devon in the NHS by signing the charter will endorse this and ensure good health care for all, now and in the future."
Chris Cruise, NHS Devon's head of strategic development, said: "NHS Devon is committed to equal access to NHS services for all people with learning disabilities. We have listened to patients and are working with our partners to make sure this happens."
Mencap is now providing health professionals with practical guidance to help them understand the health needs of people with a learning disability, to ensure they get fair and equal treatment.