Jon Sparkes, OBE, Chief Executive of
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 said:
“This is a once in a generation opportunity and Baroness Casey is the right person to seize it. Just as the
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.
was set up to tackle deep rooted health inequalities after the Second World War, so the work to establish a National Care
Service
A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support.
should deal with the systemic problems faced by people who rely on care and which were highlighted so starkly during the pandemic.
“The
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
system in this country is simply unable to meet the needs of people with a learning disability -
day services
Day services are things some people with a learning disability do in the day, usually as part of a group. For example: drama or craft.
are closing; care packages are rationed, and many people aren’t getting any care at all. Many well-trained care workers have voted with their feet and left the sector.
“The system is overly complex and needs investment. Attempts to reform it in the past have ended up becoming political footballs. We’re looking to all Parties to set aside their politics and put the interests of care users first by giving the Commission the support it needs to get this done once and for all.”