Medical matters 'muddy' for learning disabilities patients

Medical instructions should be made clearer after research found that hardly any people with learning disabilities understood doctors' jargon.

The Equality Commission claimed that GPs' contracts should also be reviewed in order to improve the care provided to people with learning disabilities.

Although the commission found that doctors often displayed good practices, medical records on patients with learning disabilities need to be improved.

Information on medicines and leaflets in local GP surgeries also did not cater for the needs of someone with a learning disability, as they were too hard to understand.

A report from the Equality Commission said: "The investigation has shown that the materials that are generally available are often not appropriate for this group.

"A lack of accessible information may have serious health consequences, especially in relation to information about medicines."

Bob Collins, Equality Commission chief commissioner, added: "The investigation found a great deal of good practice but much remains to be done."

Only three per cent of people with learning disabilities were able to understand written medical material without assistance.


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