The consultation on mandatory learning disability and autism training for health and social care professionals was launched in response to the LeDeR review and campaigns from individuals such as Paula McGowan, raising the issue of early mortality for people with learning disability and autism.
In our #MyGPandMe campaign to make primary care fair, our research found that almost a third of people with learning disabilities or autism feel less likely to be treated with care and concern at the doctors, and two thirds said their GP did not make reasonable adjustments for them.
We believe that changing attitudes and shifting approaches to patient care for people with a learning disability and/or autism is essential to improving outcomes.
Those in both the social care and health care workforce should receive training that develops a positive attitude and approach to working with people with learning disabilities and autism. This should be the foundation of any skill development in these sectors.
We recommend that all health and social care professionals receive face to face training from someone with lived experience, to challenge stereotypes and foster positive attitudes.