Feedback from the National Learning Disability Programme Boards 16 th September and 8 th November Since the last National Forum Meeting we have been to two Programme Boards

At the fist meeting on the 16 th September we told the Board why we think the National Forum should continue. We talked about the letter we had sent to the Minister Paul Burstow the letter said The National Forum is the only national democratically elected body representing the voice of people with learning disabilities

It is important that the Forum continues so the Government has a direct link to those with a learning disability We work hard to speak up about the important things in our lives We provide expert experience on what it is like to have a learning disability

David Behan asked us to think about how the Forum could work differently in future when we know there will be less money. At the meeting on the 8th November we showed the Board a plan for how we could work in the future We will look at this tomorrow and find out what you think

Other things talked about at the meetings Consultation on the NHS white paper The Board asked the Forum to take part in this piece of work looking at changes to the healthcare system. As we had very little time to do this it was not possible to get a group together Siraaj who is a member of the Health Group did a lot of work to give a reply on behalf of the forum

Health Update Hanna Rutter talked about the Department of Health’s response to the Ombudsmen’s report “Six Lives” She said that the department had learned some important lessons There had been some improvements but there was still lots to do to make health care better for those with a learning disability

We talked about Employment Amanda will give us an update on this tomorrow. Valuing People Now Annual report Anne showed us a draft of this report it is due to be published by the end of December