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Discrimination Could Kill
Discrimination Could Kill
A recent survey conducted by Mencap saw that health professionals had witnessed discrimination against patients with learning difficulties.
Leicestershire,
Leicester,
United Kingdom
(prbd.net)
21/10/2010
A recent survey conducted by Mencap saw that health professionals had witnessed discrimination against patients with learning difficulties.
Nearly half of the doctors surveyed (46% and over a third of nurses (37%) stated that they believed that patients with learning difficulties received poorer NHS care than any other group. A vast majority of staff that held this belief claimed to have actually witnessed this discrimination.
This was all highlighted in a report by Mencap called Death by Indifference, which contained six cases of people who had died due to the lack of extra care that was due to them by virtue of their disabilities.
The issue is further compounded by the fact that 35% of healthcare professionals have received no training in dealing with patients that have learning difficulties.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, all healthcare professionals have the obligation of making reasonable adjustments so that patients with learning difficulties receive equal healthcare. This could include such measures as longer consultations, using the patents preferred method of communication and also using their ‘hospital passports’ (documents which stipulate the patients needs).
More than half of healthcare professionals who were surveyed remarked that they needed specific guidelines on how to care and treat patients with learning difficulties.
Mencap’s Chief Executive Mark Goldring, said “Healthcare professionals have recognised they need more support to get it right when treating people with a learning disability. Our charter sets out a standard of practise and will make health trusts accountable to people with a learning disability, their families and carers.”
The Equality and Human Rights Commission also remarked that “under the law, hospitals, doctors, and dentists surgeries and other primary care providers fund by taxpayers’ money have to make sure that disabled people are able to use their services and are not put at any disadvantage. It also means that they have to take steps to address any inequalities.
Antonia Torr is a graduate from the University of Leicester, with a degree in Law with European Union Law. Having enjoyed writing from a young age, Antonia has received numerous awards that act as a testament to her quality of writing. To find out more about our Free Solicitor Consultation, Why not pop in to a QualitySolicitors Branch today, or visit our website at http://www.qualitysolicitors.com to find your nearest branch and claim your Free Consultation.
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