Written question asked by Peter Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 26 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 November 2004 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to increase the number of individuals with learning disabilities who are registered with a general practitioner. - Inc ref to "Equal Lives".

Answer: Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to increase the number of individuals with learning disabilities who are registered with a general practitioner. [194527] Angela Smith: The independent review of mental health and learning disability, commissioned by the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety, is currently consulting on their report on learning disability "Equal Lives" and hopes to present their recommendations to Government early next year. Among other things, the review has been examining the health and wellbeing of people with a learning disability. While the report finds that for many such people, the family GP plays a very significant role, it calls for a number of improvements to ensure access to the full range of health services for people with a learning disability. These will be considered once the report is presented to the Department.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 194527; 426 c674W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: General practitioners Learning disability Northern Ireland Registration
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk