Recurring concern
Failure to recognise learning disabilities and associated support needs in healthcare
- Reports that mention this concern
- 5
- Times this concern has been raised
- 5
- Stated actions linked to this concern
- 8
What this concern includes
Includes failures to recognise a known or apparent learning disability and to identify the directly associated need for adapted communication, engagement or support.
What is not included
- Generic availability of learning-disability liaison services without a recognition failure
- All healthcare quality or access concerns affecting people with learning disabilities
- Failure to provide a specific reasonable adjustment after the need was reliably recognised
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Reports and published responses 5 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
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Concerns raised1
Failure to consider learning difficulties when providing anticoagulation care
This report raised 12 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
-
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Introduce a pathway prompt for communication support, family or carer involvement, reasonable adjustments and advocacy for vulnerable patients, with staff briefing and documentation audits.
-
Concerns raised1
Lack of recognition of learning disability as a factor in patient engagement
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
-
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
Have Primary Care Assistant Practitioners work with community learning-disability services to contact overdue individuals, identify barriers and encourage annual health checks.
-
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
Develop a Prevention of Adults not Brought Strategy addressing reasonable-adjustment awareness, workforce education and identification of adults at risk of missed appointments.
-
Concerns raised1
Failure to recognise significant learning difficulties in hospital
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
- NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
-
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
Existing safeguarding processes for patients with learning difficulties are considered robust, despite failing on this occasion.
-
Concerns raised1
Failure to recognise and put in place reasonable adjustment care plans in acute hospital departments
This report raised 10 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked responses
- Department of Health and Social Care
- NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
-
Department of Health and Social Care
Develop and test a standardised learning disability and autism training package with Health Education England and Skills for Care.
-
Department of Health and Social Care
Introduce mandatory learning disability and autism training for health and care staff.
-
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
Require reasonable adjustment care plans for adult inpatients, audit compliance, and use electronic alerts and daily emails to notify senior nurses.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
-
Department of Health and Social Care
The local NHS is expected to reflect on the LeDeR findings and address local failings in care for people with learning disabilities.
-
Concerns raised1
Failure of treating physicians to understand the complexity of learning disability and communication issues
This report raised 9 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked responses
- Helen Whatley MP
- Stockport Borough Council
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
-
Helen Whatley MP
Develop and test a standardised learning disability and autism training package for health and care staff.
-
Helen Whatley MP
Introduce mandatory learning disability and autism training for health and care staff.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
-
Stockport Borough Council
Medical treatment decisions fall outside the Council’s responsibility, so it cannot comment on the individual’s hospital treatment.
-
Helen Whatley MP
The local NHS is expected to reflect on the LeDeR findings and address identified local failings in care.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Data last updated 7 September 2026