Down’s Syndrome

Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of provision of healthcare services for those with Down’s Syndrome; and what recent research his Department has evaluated on the incidence of Down’s Syndrome.

Phil Hope
The Department does not single out any condition when raising awareness around learning disability, although the Department recognises the excellent awareness work carried out by third sector groups, which support people with Down’s Syndrome and their families.

“Valuing People Now”, published in January 2009 is a strategy that addresses people with learning disabilities having control over their lives and services, including what people do during the day, how they can be supported to access jobs, housing, better healthcare, and making sure that change happens.

The Department funds the Congenital Anomaly Register for Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire (CAROBB). CAROBB is based at the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, and collects information, including incidence data, on Down’s Syndrome and other congenital anomalies. Further details, including CAROBB’s first report, can be found at:

www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/carobb