Summary
The “Confidential inquiry into the premature deaths of people with learning difficulties” report has been produced as a result of a three-year study into the premature deaths in people with learning difficulties. Researchers from the Bristol University’s Norah Fry Research Centre and School of Social and Community Medicine, NHS Bristol and the Royal College of General Practitioners reviewed known deaths over a two-year period in five Primary Care Trust (PCT) areas of South West England.
This research found that people with learning difficulties are more likely to die prematurely than the general population, and discovered inequalities in health and the quality of care for this group.
“The people with learning disabilities were significantly more likely than the comparators to die prematurely because there had been delays or problems with investigating, diagnosing and treating their illnesses. They were also more likely to have problems in having their needs identified and appropriate care being provided in relation to their changing needs. Their families or carers had more problems in getting their views heard…
The review found evidence that the quality and effectiveness of health and social care given to people with learning disabilities is deficient in a number of ways, and that premature deaths could be avoided by improving the quality of the healthcare that they receive”.
Read more: Bristol University. Norah Fry Research Centre.
Reference
Norah Fry Research (2013). Confidential inquiry into the premature deaths of people with learning difficulties. Bristol: Norah Fry Research Centre (University of Bristol), March 2013.
There is also an Executive Summary.
[A brief reference to this item features in Dementia and Elderly Care: the Latest Evidence Newsletter (RWNHST), Volume 3 Issue 7, May 2013].
