More people with learning disabilities died in Doncaster during coronavirus peak than whole of previous year

FIgures presented to the Doncaster NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) board showed a total of 13 such deaths recorded between March 23 and May 23.

It compares with 10 during the whole of the 2018-19 financial year, and took the total for 2019-20 to 19 deaths.

The figures are recorded under a programme called the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR).

The CCG’s deputy chief nurse, Ian Boldy, revealed the figures as this years’ annual LeDeR report was presented to the CCG board.

He said of the coronavirus: “It did seem to have a significant impact and that will come to the fore in next year’s report.”

Of the 19 deaths in 2019, he added: “Some of the impact of that 19 will be down to the pandemic. It is difficult to have a true analysis without looking into the context in next year’s annual report.

"But each will have a full review in terms of clinical care. Because of the sheer number that came through towards the end of the year (the financial year from April to April) some reviews have not been completed fully.”

The 2019-20 report said of the 19 deaths over the year, the eldest case was aged 93 years and the youngest aged eight. Respiratory conditions made up 43 per cent of the deaths.

Although 72 per cent of care was described as good, one case was judged to fall below good practice.

Board member Dr Emyr Jones said: “We receive this report and it’s a very important and new work for the NHS. It’s only recently that it has been recognised that people with learning disabilities have suffered disadvantage in terms of treatment of physical ailments and early interventions that could save the day.

"This year it has been hard because of Covid.

"Deaths of people with learning disabilities are being investigated.”

The LeDeR programme was established in 2016 to support local areas across England to review the deaths of people with a learning disability, to learn from those deaths and to put that learning into practice.

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a print subscription. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Please subscribe here https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/ so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.