Jane Dodds Calls for Support for action on health checks for those with learning disabilities

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have this week called on the Welsh Government to ensure that adults with learning disabilities receive proper health checks.

Speaking in the Senedd, Jane Dodds highlighted how people with learning disabilities in Wales are being let down by the Welsh Government.

People with learning disabilities die, on average, 20 years younger than the general population, with the most common age of death being just 67. Nearly four in ten of these deaths are considered avoidable, meaning people could still be alive today if they had received the right care at the right time.

Commenting, Jane Dodds MS said:

“Despite commitments from the Welsh Labour Government to provide the resources that GPs need, a report from Mencap last week shows that over a quarter of people with learning disabilities were not offered a health check in the past year.

“This is partly due to organisations such as Powys People First, which advocated on behalf of people with learning disabilities, closing. Without this vital community support, health checks risk becoming little more than a tick-box exercise.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will ensure that people with learning disabilities are properly supported and able to access the healthcare they need."

ENDS