We have taken a number of steps, including the NPSA published guidance on supporting adults who have learning disabilities and swallowing difficulties; the Healthcare Commission audit of learning disability services; our work on developing a response to the report from the Disability Rights Commission; the establishment of an independent inquiry following Mencap’s report, “Death by Indifference”; and our commitment to refresh the White Paper, “Valuing People”.
I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s reply. The health inequalities of people with a learning disability have been well known for many years, thanks to the work of the Government, Mencap, the DRC and many others. What plans do the Government have to introduce annual health checks for people with a learning disability, and how is the treatment of those people to be monitored and evaluated?
I agree entirely with my hon. Friend—that has been a source of concern for some considerable time. We have evidence that the system is nowhere near good enough in terms of access to primary and acute NHS care. There is a commitment on the table to regular screening of people with learning disabilities, particularly where they are at high risk of particular health conditions. For example, we have had discussions with GPs as part of contractual negotiations on the question of a guaranteed commitment to screening. Unfortunately, thus far we have not been able to reach agreement on that issue, but it remains Government policy. Ensuring that the NHS, at every level, takes its responsibilities to treat people with learning disabilities as it would treat any other patient is a top priority—that is non-negotiable. We need to look at all the levers that are available to us to ensure that primary care and acute services treat people with learning disabilities as equal citizens as regards accessing the health service.
It is common for people with Down’s syndrome to have heart defects—they are born that way. In 1997, it was very difficult to get those conditions treated in the NHS. Will my hon. Friend join me in congratulating the Down’s Syndrome Association on carrying out its vigorous campaign in the early days of this Government, which has helped to change the culture of the NHS and introduce training for medical students about people with all learning difficulties?
I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. The access of people with Down’s syndrome to specialist heart care is absolutely crucial to their longevity and quality of life. A constituent of mine, Mr. Alan Quinn, has a daughter with a learning disability and Down’s syndrome who recently went into Alder Hey hospital for such heart surgery and had excellent NHS care. He is regularly keeping me updated with her progress. There have been tremendous advances in that specialist support, particularly for people with Down’s syndrome, but we need to do a lot better.