Death by indifference

Our campaign for equal healthcare for people with a learning disability.

 

As a result of receiving unequal healthcare, people with a learning disability are dying when their lives could be saved.

The Death by indifference campaign began after six people with a learning disability died in NHS care. Their families were not getting answers about why their loved ones had died, or why they were treated so badly because they had a learning disability. They approached Mencap for help.

As a result of Death by indifference an independent inquiry was carried out, which makes strong recommendations for change to give people with a learning disability equal healthcare. The Health Ombudsman also reported on the six cases. Mencap wanted a judicial review to challenge some of the Ombudsman’s findings, but this has been denied.

Read about the six people with a learning disability who died in NHS care. 

Politicians and people who work in the NHS have listened to us - but now we need to see change.

• The government must work to ensure that all of the recommendations from the independent inquiry are fully implemented through Valuing People Now.
• The government must continue its commitment to annual health checks for people with a learning disability in England and Wales.
• All politicians and professional bodies need to understand what is going wrong for people with a learning disability, and what needs to change to get things right. 

If you are worried that someone you know is not getting the medical treatment they need, you can read our read our factsheet on how to make a complaint about medical treatment.

You can help make change happen.

Campaign for equal healthcare in your area