Equal treatment: closing the gap: a formal investigation into physical health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems

Author:
DISABILITY RIGHTS COMMISISON
Publisher:
Disability Rights Commission
Publication year:
2006
Pagination:
122p., CD ROM
Place of publication:
London

This report probed the experience of people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities of primary care services in England and Wales (1) after international research showed that these two groups were at higher risk of serious physical health problems. From December 2006, the NHS – including Primary Care Trusts in England and Local Health Boards in Wales - will come under the Disability Equality Duty which places them under an obligation to ensure that their policies and practices do not discriminate, and do promote equal opportunities for disabled people. But a wide range of current practices, identified by the investigation, could clearly breach this duty. The investigation provides important new evidence that people with learning disabilities and people with mental health problems are more likely to experience major illness, to develop serious health conditions at an earlier age and to die of them sooner than other people. Yet they are also less likely to receive some of the important evidence-based treatments and health checks than others with the same condition but without a mental health condition or learning disability. They also face real barriers to accessing services.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, mental health problems, disabilities, health inequalities, health needs;
Content type:
research
Link:
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