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People First Support and Action Group 24/02/21

People with learning disabilities – COVID-19 Support and Action Group

Wednesday 24th February 2021 1. Present

Chris Firielle Phil

Peter Eve Kieran Joanne Simone Gary Sarah

2. Introductions

Chris welcomed everyone to the meeting. Andrew, Jenny and Joanne were unable to make the meeting this week. Other apologies included Gordon and Kweku.

3. Discussion

We spoke about the announcement about

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56181154

Everyone on the GP priority register for people with learning disabilities.

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We watched Jo Whiley’s video and quoted some tweets where most of the credit for the decision was being given to Jo Whiley and Mencap.

While we appreciated the profile raising others do, Jo Whiley had said that people with learning disabilities couldn’t fight for themselves. A tweet was sent to share our Covid-19 statement to show that we were able to speak up and fight for ourselves.

COVID’s Saba Salman interviewed Andrew for the article she published 16th February ‘At greater risk of dying but not a vaccine priority. Covid’s Mental Health Impact on the Learning Disabled’ https://bylinetimes.com/2021/02/16/at-greater-risk-of- dying-but-not-a-vaccine-priority-covids-mental-health- impact-on-the-learning-disabled/

 

4. Review of action agreed at the last meeting

1. Find out how we can be involved in the Mental Health Act Reform consultation.

The consultation is open until 21st April 2021.

Mental Health Act 2020 (dhsc.gov.uk)

The group agreed to have this as a main topic for a couple of sessions in March.

Chris to email dates for possible sessions with Sophie O’Connell

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2. Confirm a date for Svetlane to come to another meeting. Andrew & Sarah

3. National Lottery Community Fund – Partnerships

This fund is open and would be a good fit for continuation funding for the group. A partnership of existing self-advocacy organisations in the group could apply together.

To do - Andrew & Sarah

4. Share plan for the event and check dates are ok with the funder - Learning Disability England

Andrew & Sarah

5. Information Share

Chris: Two homes closed in Cornwall because of cases of neglect.

Simone: All people who have had detention or CTO decisions without face-to-face assessments will be reviewed. Simone also said that Liberty is looking at support bubbles and blanket rules within residential units.

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Next Clarity session Tuesday 2nd March – Challenging the Care Act
CLARiTY Session 5: Challenging Care Act Decisions Tickets, Tue 2 Mar 2021 at 19:30 | Eventbrite

Christopher’s artwork from the session

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