Learning Disability Week 2010

Thank you to everyone who helped to make Learning Disability Week 2010 and the launch of our Getting it right campaign such a huge success.

At the start of the week, we launched the Getting it right charter, which sets out the adjustments that healthcare professionals need to make when treating someone with a learning disability.

We also launched a hard-hitting campaign film, above, to show the impact of poor healthcare on someone with a learning disability and their family. And we asked you to contact your local MP and healthcare authority to tell them to join the campaign.

Thanks to your help:

• Around 40 MPs and Peers showed their support for the Getting it right charter at a special launch event in Westminster.
• Many healthcare authorities from across England and Wales signed up to the Getting it right charter. See our list of supporters here.
• Events were held across the country to raise awareness about the unequal healthcare received by people with a learning disability, with celebrities including Dr Hilary Jones from GMTV, Dr Chris Steele from This Morning and TV presenter Donal MacIntyre all showing their support.

And this is just the beginning!

Learning Disability Week is just the start for our fight to ensure people with a learning disability get the medical treatment they are entitled to.

We still need you to email your healthcare authority to ask them to sign-up to our Getting it right charter. And you can download our campaigns pack and get involved to improve healthcare in your area.

Mencap will also be continuing to support healthcare professionals to get it right, with:

• our series of best practice healthcare resources for professionals, which will be updated over the coming weeks and months
• our new videos on annual health checks in Wales for people with a learning disability

We have to make sure everyone is getting it right - because lives depend on it. Support the campaign today.

Who to contact

To find out more about Learning Disability Week please contact us on:
Telephone: 020 7696 5613
Email: ldw@mencap.org.uk