Recently, I joined colleagues and campaigners with a learning disability in Westminster to film a short piece about our ‘NHS – Do you include me?’ campaign.
We brought some cupcakes with us in the shape of the number 65. This was to highlight how
research
Research is a way of finding out information which could come from books, or asking people what they think.
suggests only 4 in 10 people with a learning disability will live to the age of 65. This might be because people with a learning disability don’t always get the right healthcare that meets their needs.
I was shocked when I first heard this statistic. It’s not good that people with a learning disability are dying younger than they should be. It makes me feel sad, but I’m determined to do something about it.
That’s why I’m encouraging people with a learning disability to take part in the accessible NHS survey that we’ve made. It’s part of a government
consultation
Consultation is finding out what people think about something.
to build a new 10-year health plan for the NHS in England.
Campaigning at parliament
We need a healthcare system that works for people with a learning disability. We want to see an NHS which knows if someone has a learning disability, knows what adjustments they need for their care, and knows how to act on it.
Watch Vijay and other Mencap campaigners ask the NHS - "Do you include me?"
Going to places like doctors or dentists can be really stressful for people with learning disability. If we’re not given information about our treatment in an
accessible
Accessible means something is easy for people to use or join in with. For example: Accessible writing means the writing is easy to read and understand.
way, it can be confusing for us.
I’ve had this happen myself. Sometimes I’ve had to have a family member there to support me and explain what the doctor said. That’s hard for me, as I like to be independent.
I need clear and simple information when I’m having treatment. Otherwise, I’m left feeling anxious. But not everyone with a learning disability has a family member or friend they can bring with them for support.
That’s why our video talks about the importance of reasonable adjustments (extra support) and accessible information. We want this to be built into the NHS, so that every doctor, nurse, dentist, everyone working in healthcare knows they should be providing these things to people with a learning disability.
I feel it's important that people with a learning disability have their say about the NHS. Because if
the government
The Government are the people who run the country. They decide how much
tax
Tax is the money that pays for things like schools, hospitals and the police. There are different types of taxes like
income tax
Income tax is the money that is taken out of the money you earn every month. It helps to pay for things we all need like hospitals and schools.
,
VAT
VAT is also called Value Added Tax. VAT is the extra money you pay when you buy things. The money goes to the government to pay for things like schools and hospitals.
and
council tax
Council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
Tax is the money that people pay to the
council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. It helps to pay for things like social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
.
people should pay for things and how things like the National Health Service should work.
really wants to improve the NHS in England over the next 10 years, then it has to be better for everyone, including people with learning disability.
If you have a learning disability, please take part in the survey. Your voice matters! Or if you care for someone with a learning disability, please tell them about the
survey
A survey is when someone asks you to answer some questions.
and support them to take part.
Let’s get our voices heard and tell the government how they should build an NHS that truly meets the needs of people with a learning disability.
Share your views with the NHS!
The Government are asking for everyone's views, experiences, and ideas to help them shape a new 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS in England.
Have your say with the NHS. Mencap has created an accessible,
Easy Read
Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing.
version of the NHS consultation form to help people with a learning disability share their views. You can use the form until 14 February 2025.