On 13th of this month, after reading the paper, I wrote to the EDP. In a slightly edited version made today (14th January) I said:
“Your otherwise excellent article in today’s EDP (13th Jan 2021) by Thomas Chapman about the lack of vaccination centres is as guilty of omission as Central Government in ignoring the existence of disabled people.
The Department of Health and Social Care published its ‘UK Covid 19 vaccines delivery plan’ on 11th of this month.
That plan says on page 40:
“A number of local authorities are already proactively working in this area, with... significant research in this area, published in December 2020 and sharing more widely within the sector. This focuses on three Cs:
Finding ways to reduce COMPLACENCY regarding the risks of COVID-
Building CONFIDENCE in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine
Increasing the CONVENIENCE of being vaccinated
...MHCLG (Ministry of Housing Care and Local Government – my insert) is funding the Community Champions Programme which will work with up to 65 local authorities across England to boost work to reach out to ethnic minority and disabled communities. This will include intensive engagement by community voices around vaccinations – learning and other resources from local activity will be shared to a wider audience.” (my emphases)
The above is the only mention of the word 'disabled' in the whole 47 page document and there is no mention at all of 'disabled people.'
Thomas Chapman also makes no mention at all of this vast and seriously vulnerable national community of people in his article!
COMPLACENCY indeed. And certainly undermining CONFIDENCE. Is this perhaps the CONVENIENCE in Government (and EDP) terms of burying the existence of disabled people.
Heddwch
Mike”
In a Parliamentary debate, “Covid-19: Disabled People” on 13th January 2021; the same day as the EDP article, Mims Davies, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for State for Work and Pensions said:
“ The Government are committed to supporting disabled people affected by the covid-19 pandemic. We are ensuring that disabled people continue to have access to disability benefits, financial support, food, medicines and employment support, as well as updated guidance in accessible formats. (Hansard, volume 687 ((my colour emphasis)).
Why is this not getting through to the EDP and the Department of Health and Social Care?
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