RCGP response to Healthcare for All
29.07.08
Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the RCGP, said:
“The RCGP welcomes the document Healthcare for All (published
29/7/08), which reports on the inquiry led by Sir Jonathan Michael
into access to healthcare for people with learning
disabilities.
“This is an important report which highlights the problems that
people that have learning disabilities face when accessing
healthcare. We are pleased that the RCGP had the opportunity
to input into the inquiry.
“The College agrees that more work still needs to be done at a
local level to ensure the health needs of the estimated 1.5 million
people in the UK with learning disabilities are being
met.
“It is very sad that some members of society are still not
receiving the care they deserve but services are gradually
improving in primary care. The College is committed to
raising GPs’ awareness of the issues affecting people with
disabilities and through the work of our Disability Task Group and
Learning Disabilities Groups we have introduced some excellent
initiatives, materials and courses to ensure that GPs can deliver
improved standards of care.
“The RCGP curriculum for training of GPs has included an
important statement on learning disabilities since it was
introduced in 2007. By doing this the College has highlighted
to all doctors how seriously we take this issue. GPs and
their primary healthcare teams are working hard to make reasonable
adjustments to ensure all local patients have equal opportunities
to access local services, but we agree with Sir John that more
needs to be done to encourage GPs and their teams to adopt the many
examples of quality care around the country.”
Ends
The report of the Independent
Inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning
disabilities - Healthcare For All - is available online
For more information please contact the RCGP press office
020 7344 3135/3136/3137/3129 or email press@rcgp.org.uk