DRC: BMA report on tackling health inequalities for disabled people is welcomed, but with a health warning

The BMA’s new report on how doctors can tackle the shocking levels of health inequalities experienced by disabled people (published 12th June) is being welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) as a great step forward. But, the DRC warns, important elements of the Commission’s Formal Investigation into health inequalities in primary care must not be overlooked if closing those gaps are to become a reality.

Last year, the DRC reported on its 18 month investigation into the health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities and mental health problems. The investigation found that these two groups of disabled people were more likely than other citizens to experience major illness, to develop them younger and die from them sooner (1).

Agnes Fletcher, Director of Policy and Communications at the DRC, said:

“Doctors are on the front line of tackling the shocking levels of health inequalities and ensuring that primary care is delivered on an equitable basis. The BMA’s report is to be commended for tackling the many issues and barriers that contribute to many people with learning disabilities and those with mental health problems experiencing some of the worst health in the population.

The DRC commends the BMA report on promoting a more holistic approach to tackling inequalities and potential discrimination through the better commissioning of services, of the need for disability awareness training for all staff and assessing policies for their impact on disabled people. However, the Commission warns that some of the significant findings of the DRC’s investigation cannot be ignored if the health inequalities gaps are to close and if GPs want to stay within the law.

“Over half of the disabled people who responded to the DRC’s formal investigation said that the biggest barriers they faced was getting through the door to see their doctor in the first place. Inflexible appointment systems, staff attitudes, inaccessible information and premises were all high on the list of major barriers.

“All GPs have been under a duty to make changes to their premises and their services since 1999. Smaller GP surgeries may have struggled if they needed to make big changes, but they could have made them gradually over the last decade. Doing nothing will put you on the wrong side of anti discrimination legislation.

“The Commission agrees with the BMA that collecting better data on the needs of local disabled people is vital to ensure that service commissioners can reach all potential patients. But the DRC has also strongly recommended the introduction of annual health checks for people with learning disabilities which the Government supports. We hope the BMA and the Department of Health can negotiate the swift introduction of health checks into the GP contract.”

The DRC will be reconvening an independent Inquiry Panel, overseen by barrister David Wolfe, on 24th July 2007 to examine what changes have been undertaken by the Department of Health, professional health bodies and primary case services against the DRC’s Formal Investigation recommendations.

Notes to Editors

1. The DRC’s Formal Investigation report, ‘Closing the Gap’, is available on our website: www.drc-gb.org/healthinvestigation


The DRC is empowered by the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999 to instigate Formal Investigations aimed at eliminating discrimination and encouraging good practice in the treatment of disabled people. An investigation might focus on the activities of a particular organisation or it might look at the performance of an entire sector.

The Formal Investigation was led by a panel of DRC Commissioners, chaired by Philippa Russell CBE. It is supported by a Project Steering Board which includes two leading independent GPs: Dr Alan Cohen, Director of Primary Care at the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health and Dr Huw Lloyd, Chair of the Royal College of GP’s Task Force on Mental Health; and a leading academic on learning disabilities, Professor Eric Emerson of Lancaster University.

There are one million people with learning disabilities; 200,000 people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder; and six million people with depression in England and Wales.