19 January 2009

Mencap responds to Valuing People Now

Mark Goldring, chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap, responds to the long-awaited 'Valuing People Now - A Three Year Strategy for People with Learning Disabilities' published today.  He says:

"Valuing People Now is a very welcome report with great significance for people with a learning disability. It is a vision that puts people with a learning disability at the centre of their care - and offers clear solutions for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and for carers.

"This is a commendable continuation of the important work of Valuing People, particularly with the delivery plan and partnership boards, to help ensure real change for people with a learning disability. We welcome that Valuing People Now goes beyond just health services. It means that other departments must follow the lead of the Department of Health in improving services for people with a learning disability.

"Valuing People Now has rightly acted on the recommendations of Mencap's Death by Indifference report as well as the independent inquiry from Sir Jonathan Michael. These systemic recommendations for improvements in health care are an important step forward and will be good news for all people with a learning disability.

"While the delivery plan is particularly important, we have serious reservations about the reality. Hard-pressed and under-pressure local authorities, working with partnership boards without any statutory powers, are going to find it hard to deliver the vision set out in Valuing People Now."

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For more information please contact Lucy Hannagan, Mencap press office, 020 7696 6017, lucy.hannagan@mencap.org.uk

Notes to editors

• Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
• A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong.
• Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life. People with a learning disability find it harder than others to learn, understand and communicate.
• People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. Mencap fights to change laws and services and to provide better access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.
• It is not a mental illness and should not be confused with mental health issues. It is not dyslexia or aspergers syndrome.
• 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.
• 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