By THTV Newsdesk –

Families call for urgent action as study highlights preventable deaths and systemic failures

A national report presented to Parliament has revealed that adults with learning disabilities and autism in England are dying almost 20 years younger than the general population, with many of these deaths deemed avoidable.

The study, originally led by King’s College London, raises urgent questions about how people with learning disabilities are treated within the health system.

Preventable Deaths

In 2023, the most common avoidable causes of death for people with learning disabilities included influenza, pneumonia, cancers of the digestive tract and heart disease.

Alarmingly, the study found that 39% of deaths in this group were judged preventable – nearly double the rate seen across the wider population.

“People Deserve Better”

National charity Mencap says around 1.5 million people in the UK live with a learning disability.

Chief executive Jon Sparkes described the findings as shocking: “These figures show people with a learning disability are dying 19.5 years earlier than the general population.

“People and their families deserve better. In this day and age, no one should die early because they don’t get the right treatment.”

A Local Family’s Story

Among the personal stories highlighted in the report is that of David Lodge, a 40-year-old man with autism and learning disabilities who died at Hull Royal Infirmary in 2022.

His sister, Dr Keri Lodge, said his treatment was marked by an “overwhelming lack of urgency”.

Despite being severely dehydrated, he was not offered pain relief, key checks were missed, and he was not admitted to intensive care. He died within hours.

“I think he would have been treated very differently if he didn’t have a learning disability. It’s so hard to live with that knowledge,” she said.

The local NHS trust has since apologised and said changes have been made to ensure patients with learning disabilities are treated with compassion and urgency.

What Needs to Change?

The report found delays in care or treatment in more than a third of deaths, while in nearly a third, NHS staff did not follow established guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.

Experts argue that measures such as annual health checks, better hospital support and staff training could significantly reduce the number of preventable deaths.

Researcher Richard Keagan-Bull, who has a learning disability and worked on the study, said: “People are still dying quite young in hospitals and are not getting the right care.

“It could be me, or it could be someone I know. These deaths must be taken seriously.”

A Local and National Issue

For communities already affected by health inequalities linked to poverty, poor housing and limited access to services, the findings carry particular weight.

Families here are often left fighting to secure even basic support.

NHS England has pointed to progress, including staff training and the rollout of digital “flags” to identify patients with additional needs.

But campaigners insist that improvements remain too slow.

Government Response

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock has called the life expectancy gap “unacceptable” and pledged further changes.

Yet for many families, the pressing concern remains whether reforms will come soon enough to save lives.

Behind every statistic is a loved one, neighbours and friends within our own communities.

Campaigners warn the fight for healthcare equality is not an abstract issue – it is happening here, and it demands urgent attention.

You can read a copy of the full report on the King’s College London Website.