The Guardian view on listening to people with learning disabilities: a matter of life and death | Editorial

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed deep health and social care inequalities in the UK, particularly for people with learning disabilities. Fiona Walker, the mother of a person with learning disabilities, shared her fear that her child's life would not have been valued during the crisis. Data revealed that death rates among people with learning disabilities in England were four to six times higher than average.

While the pandemic did not create these inequalities, it exposed and intensified them. People with learning disabilities die on average 19.5 years earlier than others, and deaths are almost twice as likely to be classified as avoidable.

The How We Survive and Thrive report, led by Learning Disability England, highlights how families were abandoned by planners during the pandemic. Care homes were also neglected, while those in family homes or community settings often received little attention. The report recommends prioritizing patients with learning disabilities and increasing support during future crises.

It also emphasizes the need for better GP registration of people with learning disabilities, accessible information, and reasonable adjustments. Misinterpreting patients' reactions as refusal of care can be detrimental and may even be life-threatening.

Professionals are not immune to societal prejudices. The pandemic saw the imposition of "do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation" decisions on people with learning disabilities, potentially influenced by Nice's assessment of patients with personal care needs. Patients and their families fear that recent progress may be reversed due to cuts in social care packages and healthcare funding.

Learning disability nurses have seen a third decrease in numbers since 2009, and student applications are declining. To overcome prejudices and ensure better outcomes, sustained training and accountability are crucial. However, it's essential to reverse the decline in learning disability nurses and increase student applications. After all, learning disabilities should not equate to a shorter life.