NHS 'failing people with learning disabilities', report says
NHS is failing people with learning disabilities, report says
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Friday, 14, Mar 2008 12:33
The NHS is failing people with learning disabilities, an editorial in a leading medical journal has claimed today.
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) editorial says the health needs of this group of patients often go unmet because mental or physical illness is incorrectly attributed to the person's intellectual disability.
Medical professionals are less likely to diagnose psychiatric problems in this group, the writers say, even though people with intellectual disability have a higher prevalence of mental illness than people with a normal IQ.
The editorial highlights two reports from the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and Mencap, which both revealed widespread inequalities encountered by people with learning disabilities and/or mental illness.
It claims that these reports "highlight the low priority given to the health needs of these people, the lack of appropriate training provided to medical staff, the disregard for the views of carers, and the lack of understanding of problems related to consent and capacity".
The BMJ says the Mental Health Act, which came into effect in October 2007, has the potential to improve care.
It claims that the British Medical Association and the royal colleges will also need to play an active role in implementing changes to undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, including training in communication skills for health professionals.
"Improved communication and effective liaison between primary care, secondary care, and intellectual disability services is needed, together with joint working between medical bodies," the researchers conclude.
"This may help to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve quality of life."