Learning disabilities

This section is about caring for people with learning disabilities who have diabetes:

Introduction

A report by the former Disability Rights Commission found that in England and Wales people with learning disabilities and mental health problems were more likely to have significant health risks and major health problems including diabetes (Disability Rights Commission 2006).

These findings were reaffirmed by the Independent Inquiry into Access to Healthcare for People with Learning Disabilities. The Inquiry report 'Healthcare for All' highlighted the continuing difficulties of access to assessment and treatment for people with learning disabilities, especially where health problems are not directly connected with the learning disability. The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) underlined the duty to make 'reasonable adjustments' to services to accommodate different needs and the Inquiry report made a series of recommendations around the implementation and monitoring of 'reasonable adjustments' (Independent Inquiry into Access to Healthcare for People with Learning Disabilities 2008).

The Department of Health's 'Valuing People: a new three-year strategy for people with learning disabilities' sets out the Government's strategy for people with learning disabilities for the next three years. It responds to the main recommendations in the Inquiry report 'Healthcare for All'. The vision remains, as set out in Valuing People in 2001, "that all people with a learning disability are people first with the right to lead their lives like any others, with the same opportunities and responsibilities, and to be treated with the same dignity and respect. They and their families and carers are entitled to the same aspirations and life chances as other citizens" (Department of Health 2009a, p. 3).

The Royal College of Nursing Learning Disability Nursing Forum has published the guidance, 'Dignity in health care for people with learning disabilities' which focuses on the experiences of people with learning disabilities and highlights areas for improvement in relation to dignity. It provides examples of good practice and practical ideas on what nurses can do to improve the experiences of people with learning disabilities using health care services (Royal College of Nursing 2010c).

The potential for delayed diagnosis of diabetes in people with learning disabilities is greater, and health inequalities need to be addressed to ensure that diabetes is monitored and managed effectively. People with learning disabilities must be valued as individuals, however, there is little guidance and literature available for people with learning disabilities and their families and carers.

References

Full details of the bracketed citations in the text above and, in many cases, links to the actual documents are available in the reference list within this resource. Go to the Reference list.