I am receiving emails and tweets about the #Justice for LB campaign.
I was greatly saddened to learn about the case of Connor Sparrowhawk. I understand that past-mortem findings have shown that that he died as a result of drowning, likely to have been caused by an epileptic seizure.
I am deeply sorry that Connor died whilst in the care of Southern Health NHS Trust who I understand have acknowledged that they failed to undertake the necessary actions required to keep him safe. I think it is quite right that the hospital has now apologised unreservedly to Connor's family.
I read the proposed Private Member Bill with great interest. I think it is an important contribution to the ongoing debate about how we best improve care for people with learning disabilities. You may be interested to know that during the last Parliament, the Department of Health held a consultation called 'No voice unheard, no right ignored' which looked into precisely this issue. In particular it included a section called 'My right to be independent, to be part of a community and to live in a home I have chosen'.
I hope this is an area that the newly elected Government will choose to examine carefully before deciding how best to support and care for patients.