– Adrian Roper
The Welsh Government today launched a three-year Learning Disability Transformation Programme and a Learning Disabilities Integrated Quality Statement. I have put some time aside to read the published documents in detail later, but there was much about the launch event which gives me cause for hope.
The Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health brought passion and clarity in her message. She called for a programme that was not just about changes to service processes, but that actually made a difference to people’s lives, and especially the lives of people and families who have been or are at risk of being denied their rights to dignity, choice, community and fulfilment. She spoke with respect and appreciation about the family-led Stolen Lives campaign and saw the new Programme as taking forward many of the recommendations of the Stolen Lives “Homes Not Hospitals” Report.
Following the Minister, two people with lived experience of learning disability and mental health services gave very powerful insights into what is working and what is not working within the current pattern of services in Wales. What is working includes the patience and love of parents; the solidarity and support of local self-advocacy groups; the person-centredness and creativity of supported living colleagues; and the knowledge and skills of community wellbeing mental health teams. What is not working is a system of siloed health professionals operating waiting lists and eligibility gateways for people in a crisis; or in-hospital environments, invasive procedures and restrictive practices. That’s what I heard, and I hope others heard similar messages. It was important that the Welsh Government enabled these two powerful testimonies to be presented to nearly 200 professionals from all over Wales.
It was also encouraging to hear senior officers within Welsh Government who stressed the need for the new programme to be massively shaped and informed by the voices of people with lived experience. The proof of course will be in the actions that follow in the months and years ahead. It will be crucial that these voices are around the table over-seeing the programme and giving continuous feedback on progress. Then perhaps we will see real changes making a profound and positive difference to people’s lives.
Adrian Roper
Chair
Good Life Alliance
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