Victoria Wright
We need a rescue plan.
There already aren’t enough learning disability nurses. In three short years, this essential profession could collapse.
People with a learning disability are still dying nearly 20 years younger than people without a learning disability. And are twice as likely to die from treatable or preventable conditions.
Mencap, together with 16 charities and disability campaigners, have written to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting. Together, we demand urgent action to prevent the collapse of the learning disability nursing workforce.
Learning disability nurses are crucial in making sure people with a learning disability receive safe, effective healthcare, along with any reasonable adjustments they might need.
ITV News recently exposed more devastating failures in how people with a learning disability are treated.
Adrian Poulton, who was 56 years old and had
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, also known as Down's syndrome, is a type of disability. People with Down syndrome may find it hard to learn new things and may need support. They may have more problems with their health too.
, was admitted to hospital with a broken hip after a fall. In the hospital, Adrian was wrongly marked as ‘nil by mouth’, as doctors wrongly believed he was unable to eat solid food. His family were unaware he wasn’t receiving any nutrition, believing he was being fed through a drip.
Although his hip was mending well, Adrian grew increasingly unwell - his final words to his sister were: “Lesley, I don’t want to die.”
He tragically died after being starved for nine days.
More about the crisis in care for people with a learning disability
We need more learning disability nurses to help prevent future deaths like Adrian’s. Bereaved families of people with learning disabilities have told ITV News they believe their children died due to failures in NHS learning disability care.