Government shirks responsibility for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities

The government has responded to the Raising our Sights report on services for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Learning disability charity Mencap and the PMLD Network said that the response is extremely disappointing and that the government is not taking responsibility to ensure the needs of people with PMLD are met.

While the Government says it supports the Raising our Sights report, there is nothing in its response to ensure that the recommendations will be implemented and that any difference will be made to the lives of people with PMLD. The Government has failed to provide leadership and direction to local authorities to ensure the needs of people with PMLD will be met.

Beverley Dawkins OBE, chair of the PMLD Network and national officer for PMLD at Mencap, said: "People with PMLD are a relatively small group in our society but one of the most vulnerable. We have campaigned hard to ensure that their needs are understood and focused on. I am extremely concerned that the Government is not encouraging local authorities to specifically focus on the needs of this group of people. Without this, people with PMLD are at risk of being further marginalised."

Professor Jim Mansell, author of the Raising our Sights report, said: "Although I welcome the Minister's support for the general principles of the report I am unconvinced by the details in the Government's response. The specific obstacles identified in the report will not be overcome by listing the Government's general policies nor by leaving it all to local decision. There are some obstacles, for example concerning access to housing, which only government can address, but the government has not said how it will do this. I think it is extremely risky to leave action to local agencies when it hasn't worked in the past.'

click here for more details or to contact Hull Mencap Domiciliary Care Agency