A Dangerous Society

If the conditions of treatment in NHS hospital leaves a lot to be desired the position of patients with learning difficulties is even more alarming. 'Research commissioned by Mencap last year estimated that 1,200 people with learning disabilities are dying "needlessly" in the NHS each year, largely due to delays or problems in investigating illnesses.' (Independent, 3 November) A shortage of specialist nurses trained to care for people with learning disabilities is putting the lives of thousands of vulnerable people at risk, the leading charity Mencap has warned. No NHS hospital in England has 24-hour learning disability (LD) nurse cover and more than 40 per cent of NHS trusts do not even employ a single LD nurse, according to Freedom of Information requests from the charity. NHS workforce figures show that there has been a 30 per cent cut in the number of LD nurses employed in the health service over the past five years. 1,200 needless death is just another example of the callous welfare cuts justified by capitalism's needs for economy.  RD