Source: Mencap published on this website Thursday 20 February 2025 by Jill Powell
The report highlights the scale and impact of poor NHS administration and patient communications, including on people with long-term conditions.
Jon Sparkes, OBE, Chief Executive at learning disability charity Mencap, says:
“It's deeply worrying to hear people are being deterred from getting medical treatment because of NHS admin issues and this can be particularly harmful for people with a learning disability, who already face huge inequalities in getting the healthcare they need.
“Having to chase test results, not knowing who to contact or how long you might have to wait for treatment is hard for anyone and it’s unsurprising that people end up with delays to care or treatment or feel like giving up. It is an even heavier burden for people with a learning disability who are struggling to navigate a complex health system.
“For people with a learning disability these barriers to healthcare form part of the picture where they die on average up to 23 years earlier than the general population with many of their deaths avoidable. Delays to accessing care and treatment are a key driver of these shocking inequalities.
“Poor admin isn't just an inconvenience it actively deepens health inequalities. The Government’s 10 Year NHS Plan must fix these preventable admin failures and ensure the healthcare system meets the needs of people with a learning disability. This includes ensuring they are supported to access easy-to-understand information and are able to contact NHS services in a more accessible way
