Dimensions responds to the LeDeR report

The learning disability mortality gap and high prevalence of preventable deaths of people with learning disabilities has long been known, but the findings from the LeDeR report underline the continuing and stark inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities.

Published 9 May 2018

We are sad, but not surprised by the LeDeR report. The finding that 28% of deaths of people with learning disabilities are of people under 50 compared to just 5% of general population is particularly shocking and this level of inequality has no place in our society.

We note that the recommendations in the LeDeR report are in line with recommendations made by previous reports, such as the Confidential Inquiry into Premature Deaths of People with Learning Disabilities (CIPOLD) and Death by Indifference. So, whilst the problem of early mortality has been discussed for many years, little has changed to stop the early and preventable deaths of people with learning disabilities.

We welcome the requirement for individual trusts to publish quarterly estimates of how many deaths they could have avoided had care been better, including separately reporting on deaths of people who had a learning disability, and to publish evidence of learning and improvements, but this is not sufficient to ensure change.

Alicia Wood, Head of Public Affairs commented, ‘dying early, through poor care, is the most fundamental injustice and we cannot tolerate this for people with learning disabilities. The adjustments that should be made to support people are a right, not a privilege. Now is a time for action to ensure all those working with someone with a learning disability have the skills and knowledge needed to meet that individual’s needs’.

‘The government must now set out how they will implement the recommendations made by the LeDeR programme. Many people with learning disabilities, their families and others that support them are waiting to work with government on this issue, to ensure progress is made and further preventable deaths are avoided’.