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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 

Take part and have your say