Clinical Negligence Solicitors

NHS data has found that patients with learning disabilities are missing out on important health checks, including blood pressure checks, mental health assessments and cancer screening.

Mencap, a charity offering support to individuals with learning disabilities and their families, are running a campaign to ensure people know that they can register with their local GPs as having a learning disability which gives them access to extra support. This includes a system whereby GP’s call their patients to make sure they are making regular appointments and are allocated longer appointment times.

As it stands fewer than half of patients with learning disabilities are receiving the recommended annual health check and only around 50% of women received breast cancer screening last year, compared to 70% of all eligible women. This lack of medical tracking leaves patient more susceptible to undiagnosed illness and chronic conditions such as asthma and research found that patients with learning disabilities had a life expectancy 16 years shorter than the general population. These numbers also suggest that there around 1,200 avoidable deaths of people with learning disability annually.

NHS guidelines state that people with complex health needs, including learning disabilities need to receive at least a general physical examination and a review of medicines they receive annually.

According to Mencap physical access to healthcare is a barrier for those with learning disabilities due to constraints such as lack of accessible transport, low confidence, anxiety and lack of understanding from staff. Strategic development manager for health at Mencap, Rachel Ashcroft commented:

“Visiting the GP can be incredibly difficult if you have a learning disability. Being on the GP’s learning disability register can ensure healthcare is much more accessible and can result in better health outcomes for people with a learning disability”.

Ashwati Menon, a Caseworker for Duncan Lewis Solicitors, had this to say on the issue:

“There needs to be a significant improvement in the access to healthcare for people living with learning disabilities. It is crucial that doctors provide annual health checks and provide care and treatment in a supportive way so that patients with learning disabilities can understand at their own pace. GP’s need to be aware of their patients who have learning disabilities so that they have a more tailored care and personal treatment.”

Ashwati Menon is a Caseworker in the Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury Departments. She is experienced in assisting on numerous clinical negligence claims, including, but not limited to, orthopaedic claims, gastroenterology and cardiac related injuries.

Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors

The Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence team has significant experience acting in a vast array of claims including accident and emergency failures, GP negligence claims, misdiagnosed fractures and other medical conditions and wrongful death claims. They also act for children and adults who have suffered profound and permanent brain, spinal or neurological injuries and associated disabilities as a consequence of failings in medical care in both NHS and private hospitals.

If you believe your doctor has made a mistake and wish to claim compensation or have any questions about treatment you have recieved, please do not hesitate to contact our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.