The report highlights the scale and impact of poor NHS The NHS is the National Health Service. The NHS gives free healthcare to everyone in the UK and includes things like your GP (doctors) surgery and hospitals. administration and patient communications, including on people with long-term conditions.
Jon Sparkes, OBE, Chief Executive at learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. charity Mencap, says:
“It's deeply worrying to hear people are being deterred from getting medical treatment because of NHS admin issues and this can be particularly harmful for people with a learning disability, who already face huge inequalities in getting the healthcare they need.
“Having to chase test results, not knowing who to contact or how long you might have to wait for treatment is hard for anyone and it’s unsurprising that people end up with delays to care or treatment or feel like giving up. It is an even heavier burden for people with a learning disability who are struggling to navigate a complex health system.
“For people with a learning disability these barriers to healthcare form part of the picture where they die on average up to 23 years earlier than the general population with many of their deaths avoidable. Delays to accessing care and treatment are a key driver of these shocking inequalities.
“Poor admin isn't just an inconvenience it actively deepens health inequalities.
The Government
The Government are the people who run the country. They decide how much tax people should pay for things and how things like the National Health Service should work.
’s 10 Year NHS Plan must fix these preventable admin failures and ensure the healthcare system meets the needs of people with a learning disability. This includes ensuring they are supported to access easy-to-understand information and are able to contact NHS services in a more
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.”
-ENDS-
For further information or to arrange an
interview
An interview is a meeting where you talk to someone or a group of people about something. When you have an interview for a job, you have to answer questions and say why you would be good at the job. The person who gives the best answers is offered the job.
with a Mencap
spokesperson
A spokesperson is someone who speaks up about something. They usually speak up on behalf of a group or organisation.
or
case study
A case study is a piece of writing that tells people more information about someone's experience.
, please contact Mencap’s media team on: [email protected] or 02076965414 (including out of hours).
Notes to editors:
About Mencap:
Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and
campaign
A campaign is when people work together to try to change something.
with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and campaign for better health,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
and
employment
Employment means having a job.
opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or
dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect.
With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability
When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up to date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.