Learning Disabilities Mortality Review

John Howell Excerpts

Tuesday 8th May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Dinenage]

It is not about that. This is about inquiring into the deaths of people who have died in our care. Despite all the really difficult decisions we have had to make to deal with the financial challenges this country faced, which the hon. Lady’s party will be well aware of, we have made progress on this issue in terms of transforming care and the healthcare checks on people with learning disabilities, and this very report on the learning from deaths programme proves how absolutely committed we are to ensuring that not one single one of those deaths goes unrecognised or uninvestigated.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

Surely the quicker integration of the NHS with social care across the board will help to solve some of these problems. Does the Minister agree with that?

[Caroline Dinenage]

Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. The integration of health and social care services is absolutely vital, and that is why we are so delighted that we have renamed the Department as the Department of Health and Social Care. That has to be more than just a title; it has to be a statement of intent.