Feedback from the National Learning Disability Programme Boards 16th

September and 8th November

Since the last National Forum Meeting we have been to two Programme Boards

At the fist meeting on the 16th September we told the Board why we think the National Forum should continue.

We talked about the letter we had sent to the

Minister Paul Burstow the letter said

•The National Forum is the only national

democratically elected body representing

the voice of people with learning disabilities

•It is important that the Forum continues so

the Government has a direct link to those

with a learning disability

•We work hard to speak up about the

important things in our lives

•We provide expert experience on what it is

like to have a learning disability

David Behan asked us to think about how the Forum could work differently in future when we know there will be less money.

At the meeting on the 8th November we showed the Board a plan for how we could work in the future

We will look at this tomorrow and find out what you think

Other things talked about at the meetings

Consultation on the NHS white paper

The Board asked the Forum to take part in this piece of work looking at changes to the healthcare system. As we had very little time to do this it was not possible to get a group together

Siraaj who is a member of the Health Group did a lot of work to give a reply on behalf of the forum

Health Update

Hanna Rutter talked about the Department of Health’s response to the Ombudsmen’s report “Six Lives”

She said that

•the department had learned some

important lessons

•There had been some improvements but

there was still lots to do to make health care

better for those with a learning disability

We talked about Employment

Amanda will give us an update on this

tomorrow.

Valuing People Now Annual report

Anne showed us a draft of this report it is due to be published by the end of December