The report was commissioned by the
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is the leader of
the government
The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much tax people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (NHS) should work.
.
and Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, after the failure of Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust earlier this year.
Janine Tregelles, 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, commented:
Since 2007, we have worked with close to 100 families who have lost loved ones with a learning disability, supporting them to seek justice through the NHS complaints process, the inquest system and professional regulatory bodies, like the GMC. Recent research has shown that 1,200 people with a learning disability die avoidably within the health 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. every year.
Families have found the complaints process slow, bureaucratic and defensive. Many have been bereaved in traumatic circumstances, yet have waited years to reach some form of justice for their loved one. This culture of delay and defensiveness means the NHS has been failing to learn lessons and take the steps needed to prevent further avoidable deaths and serious incidents.
Ann Clwyd's review makes powerful and much needed recommendations for change, which we welcome. Families have waited too long for change, we now need to see strong government leadership on delivering these changes, so that we achieve a high quality independent complaints process, with enforceable standards, and support on hand for patients and families to make their concerns known.
-ENDS-
For more 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
An organisation are a group of people who work together.
.
or a
case study
A case study is a piece of writing that tells people more information about someone's experience.
, contact the Mencap Press Office, on 020 7696 5414 or media@mencap.org.uk.
About Mencap
There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK. Mencap works to support people with a learning disability, their families and carers by fighting to change laws, improve services and access to
education
Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university.
,
employment
Employment means having a job.
and
leisure
Leisure is when you have time to do things you enjoy like playing sports or going to the pub.
facilities. Mencap supports thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.
For advice and information about learning disability and Mencap services in your area, contact the Learning Disability Helpline on 0808 808 1111 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday) or email helpline@mencap.org.uk.