Mencap Welcomes Inquiry Into Deaths Of People With A Learning Disability In NHS Care, UK
Today the Department of Health announced the Chair's name, membership and Terms of Reference of the inquiry panel.
Dame Jo Williams, Mencap's chief executive, said: "Mencap and the families of those who died want the Inquiry to investigate why the six people in the report died and whether their deaths could have been avoided. Lessons must be learnt and urgent action taken to tackle the institutional discrimination that currently exists with the NHS."
As well as calling for an independent inquiry into the deaths of the six people in the report, Mencap also called for a confidential inquiry into the premature deaths of people with a learning disability, promised in 2001*.
Jo Williams said: "Whilst we welcome the independent inquiry into the deaths in the report, to truly tackle the extent of this tragic waste of life, Mencap also wants commitment to the confidential inquiry into the premature deaths of people with a learning disability. Without this we will not know the true extent of premature deaths of people with a learning disability within our heath services.
"Since we launched Death by indifference a number of similar cases have come to light. The deaths in the report are only the tip of the iceberg. We will continue to fight for an end to institutional discrimination and better health care for people with a learning disability."
The Death by indifference report contained the cases of 6 people who died within NHS care:
-- Martin, aged 43, went without food for 26 days whilst he was in hospital following a stroke. This left him too weak to undergo surgery. Martin died on 21 December 2005.
-- Doctors told Emma, aged 26, that she had a 50:50 chance of survival, but decided not to treat her as they believed she would not cooperate with treatment. Emma died of cancer on 25 July 2004.
-- Mark, aged 30, died eight and a half weeks after being admitted to hospital with a broken leg (femur). He was clearly distressed and in pain, but he had to wait three days to see the pain team. Mark died on 29 August 2003.
-- Ted, aged 61, was discharged three weeks after being admitted to hospital despite his condition having been assessed as 'concerning'. He collapsed and died the following day on 27 May 2004. He had a severe learning disability and had virtually no speech.
-- A hospice consultant recommended that 20 year old Tom's pain was investigated by a gastroenterologist over a year before he died. No action was taken until it was far too late. Tom's expressions of pain weren't listened to and he died on 25 May 2004. He had profound and multiple learning disabilities.
-- Warren, aged 30, died following perforation of the appendix. His mother and father repeatedly asked whether Warren had appendicitis or a blocked bowel when doctors visited Warren. They were told Warren had a virus. Warren died on 25 September 2004. He had a severe learning disability and very little speech, but he could make himself understood to his family.
To find out more about Death by indifference visit www.mencap.org.uk/deathbyindifference.
References
-- Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century. Department of Health, 2001
-- Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
-- 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.
-- Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life.
-- It is not mental illness. It is not dyslexia.
-- It used to be called mental handicap but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.
-- People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. That's why we fight to change laws and services, and directly support thousands of people to live their lives the way they want.
-- For information about learning disability issues please call the Learning Disability Helpline (England) on 0808 808 1111 or visit www.askmencap.info
-- For online press information, go to www.mencap.org.uk/press
Mencap 60 - celebrating in 2006/07
We're 60, and there are lots of ways to join in the celebration with us. Take part in a local or national Mencap 60 event or get involved in one of our campaigns. To find out more go to www.mencap.org.uk/mencap60
For more information about learning disability and Mencap, visit www.mencap.org.uk or call our Learning Disability Helplines free on 0808 808 1111 (England), 0808 8000 300 (Wales) or 0845 763 6227 (Northern Ireland - calls charged at local rates)
Mencap salutã anchetã de decese ale persoanelor cu handicap în învãþare Un NHS grijã, Marea Britanie - Mencap Welcomes Inquiry Into Deaths Of People With A Learning Disability In NHS Care, UK - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate