§ Lord Robertson of Oakridgeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as regards the provision of health services to disabled people, especially those with Down's Syndrome, are properly understood. [HL4022]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health has issued guidance to the National Health Service on the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) for the management of health services. In 1996, a circular (EL(96)70) was issued; this set out the requirements of the DDA for the NHS. Earlier this year, a good practice guide,Doubly disabled: Equality for disabled people in the new NHS: Access to services, was issued to raise awareness of disability issues for NHS staff. HSC 1999(156) issued in July 1999 explained arrangements that NHS providers should make to implement Section 21 of the Disability Discrimination Act. The current guidance on health services for people with a learning disability—HSC(92)42—which includes Down's Syndrome, makes clear that they have the same right of access to NHS services as everyone else and that special care should be taken to ensure that they are not denied health care because of their disability. Copies of the circulars are available in the Library.