The Human Rights Act 1998 states that the human rights of people with learning disabilities are inseparable from those of their fellow citizens. However, The Royal College of Nursing (2017) highlights the significant health inequalities exist for many people with a learning disability. Many factors are contributed including difficulties with communication and expressing on needs, diagnostic overshowing, staff training and lack of reasonable adjustments.
The Equality Act 2010 states having a disability is a protected characteristic and should be protected from both direct and indirect discrimination. …show more content…
The government report ‘Better services for the mentally handicapped’ (Department of Health, 1971) outlined a shift from people living in long stay institutions. The nursing model was questioned in the Jay Report (Campbell et al., 1979) recommending that learning disability nurse should move away from the medical model favouring a more social care approach. The report encouraged embracing of the human ideology of normalisation and later the UK adopted O’Brien and Lyle’s (1987) measurable accomplishments, promoting choice and respect, all values echoed in the 2001 report, Valuing People.
Valuing People (Department of Health, 2001) highlighting many failings, as people still faced barriers to health inclusion, including lack of control and social isolation, resulting in health needs still not being met. The ‘White paper’ called for a change of culture within the healthcare system by offering person centred care which is now an essential requirement of the Nursing and Midwifery Council