NHS England has today announced the appointment of Ray James as its first National Learning Disability Director, to drive improvement across the country on services to people with a learning disability, their families and carers. Ray is the former national president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the long-standing executive director […]

Professor Jane Cummings has urged nurses to lead the way in improving the lives of millions of people living with a mental health condition or learning disability. It is estimated there are around 1.1 million people living with a learning disability in England. However, the number recorded in health and welfare systems is much lower. […]

Practical guides to help disabled patients to access GP online services have been published by NHS England today (11 September). Aimed at supporting people with sight loss, hearing loss, autism or learning disabilities, a series of new guides have been developed to help patients use GP services online such as book appointments, repeat their prescriptions and […]

An ongoing fight to raise awareness of over-medication of people with learning disabilities has been welcomed by the country’s top nurse. As it reached its first anniversary today Professor Jane Cummings spoke out in support of stop the over-medication of people with a learning disability or autism (STOMP) – a major initiative aimed at curbing […]

Patients with a learning disability, autism or both are set to benefit from over £10 million investment by NHS England to help them lead more independent lives, closer to their friends and family. The funding will support fourteen local Transforming Care Partnerships – made up of NHS organisations, local authorities and NHS England commissioners, working […]

People with a learning disability, autism or both in the North West will be supported to lead more independent lives in their communities thanks to plans given the final go ahead today, which include the closure of Calderstones (now known as Mersey Care Whalley site) – England’s last stand-alone NHS learning disability hospital. The plans […]

NHS England is today giving local areas the means to improve the lives of people with a learning disability and/or autism, including developing ways of keeping children closer to their home and families. From today, local partnerships – made up of NHS organisations, local authorities and NHS England commissioners, working closely with people who use […]

Consultation: proposed redesign of learning disability and autistic spectrum disorder services Consultation for the proposed redesign of learning disability and autistic spectrum disorder services in the North West Easy Read: Consultation for the proposed redesign of learning disability and autistic spectrum disorder services in the North West New proposals published today propose the closure of […]

As Mencap’s Learning Disability Work Experience Week kicks off, the number of NHS organisations pledging to employ more people with learning disabilities has hit 100, with NHS England calling on more trusts and hospitals to join the growing list. The pledges have already led to ten new work experience placements which will begin this week […]

National funding released to drive transformation of local services Summary plans for new and innovative care and support options published £100m in capital available to build the right support Local plans to transform care for people with a learning disability and/or autism have been published today, backed by millions of pounds of dedicated funding announced […]