A Bill focussed on improving the lives of those living with Down syndrome has passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons today after the Government announced it will support it to become law.
The Down Syndrome Bill has been introduced as Dr Liam Fox’s Private Member’s Bill. Dr Fox was selected, for the first time in his thirty years as an MP, in the Private Members’ Ballot to bring forward a Bill of his own choosing for this Parliamentary session – only twenty MPs each parliamentary session are drawn at random in the ballot. Dr Fox, a former NHS Doctor and GP, decided to use this unique opportunity to bring forward the ‘Down Syndrome Bill’ as his Private Members’ Bill.
The Bill is co-sponsored by cross-party MPs and politicians from across the political divide attended an event with Dr Fox in Parliament earlier this week in support of the Bill.
The Down Syndrome Bill would mean the establishment of a Down Syndrome Act and will be the first of its kind in the world. The Act would improve the provision and outcomes for all those living with Down syndrome in England. This will encompass, amongst other areas, maternity care, education, health & social care and employment.
Campaigners are calling for the Bill to receive Royal Assent before World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March 2022.
TV Personalities have also shown their support for the Bill, including: CBeebies presenter and self-advocate George Webster; BBC’s Line of Duty actor Tommy Jessop; writer and creator of Call the Midwife Heidi Thomas; and the actress Sally Phillips.
The National Down Syndrome Policy Group (NDSPG) has launched a campaign in support for the Bill. The ‘Stand Up for Down Syndrome’ campaign includes a Change.org petition which has attracted the signatures of 30,400 people with Down syndrome, their families and supporters.
Thousands of constituents have written to their MPs as part of the campaign urging them to support the Bill.
Many of those taking part in the campaign have shared photos of their children with Down syndrome on social media to help send a strong message about the importance of the Bill.
The NDSPG have organised a gathering outside Parliament today at 13:30hrs so that those in the Down syndrome community can publicly demonstrate their support of Dr Liam Fox’s Bill on the day of its second reading in the House of Commons.
Battersea Power Station in London will be lit up in blue, pink, purple this evening – to celebrate what campaigners are calling a “historic and ground breaking moment”.
Health minister Gillian Keegan, whose nephew has Down Syndrome, told MPs during today’s debate:
“People with Down’s syndrome should have the opportunity to enjoy all aspects of our society and to have access to the services and support that will enable them throughout their lifetime. I wholeheartedly support the Down syndrome bill.
“I know that today people with Down’s syndrome are struggling to access the services they need and I’ve seen this with my own family. It is not right, it must change and we will change it.”
Dr Liam Fox MP, the Down Syndrome Bill Sponsor said: “I am thrilled to bring forward a Bill to deal with the issues faced by those with Down syndrome. My aim is to deal with three main areas. The first is to de-stigmatise Down syndrome. The second is to ensure that current provision of services is improved. The third is to look ahead and deal with future issues, such as long-term care, in an era where, for the first time, many of those with Down syndrome will outlive their parents.”
Heidi Thomas, Writer and Creator of Call the Midwife whose late brother had Down syndrome said: “Having David as a sibling enabled me to live my best life – he taught me so much, and brought joy to all who loved him. But I want everyone who has Down syndrome to live their best life, with their gifts acknowledged and their specific needs embraced, understood, and enabled. The Down Syndrome Bill could really open the door to that, and it has my full support.”
