The NHS Confederation strongly supports improvements to primary and community health services to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities. In particular we supported the radical new approach of the 2001 white paper 'Valuing people: a new strategy for learning disability' which put the individual living with a learning disability at the centre of thinking.

The principles of rights, independence and choice now underpin all standards for learning disability services. But there is concern the white paper's proposed changes have not happened or are happening too slowly. Four years on, learning disability is still a neglected area of policy.

We work to keep our members on top of current issues in learning disabilities. By looking at the drivers for change we hope to support the planning and design of services.

We are concerned that in treating everyone the same we risk overlooking the specialist needs of complex learning difficulties. People should be able to live full lives in the community with public services that meet their needs but if necessary step-up into specialist care without losing their independence, rights and choice.

A key part of our work is helping policy makers and regulators find a balance in which specialist services promote individuality while mainstream services are equipped to cater for all. Also, NHS Employers will be looking at the workforce challenges posed by new approaches to the provision of learning disability services.

NHS Confederation representation

We are represented by Yvonne Cox, chief executive of Ridgeway Partnership NHS Trust, on the national Learning Disability Taskforce which oversees implementation of the Valuing People objectives.

How we involve members in our work

We hold ad hoc policy seminars on learning disabilities and these inform our briefings and consultation responses. A forum for mental health and learning disabilities trust chairs is held three times a year in London for members to network and hear from topical speakers. We work closely with the Healthcare Commission to ensure our members are engaged with plans for learning disability service audit and improvement. We regularly keep members with an interest in learning disabilities up-to-date on relevant issues by email.

Confederation policy

We have published a briefing 'Improving services for people with learning disabilities'

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