Landmark Down Syndrome bill expected to pass third reading

Dr Liam Fox’s private member’s Down Syndrome bill is expected to pass its third reading today in Westminster.

The government has given its support to the bill which could soon become law.

The bill is co-sponsored by cross-party MPs and politicians from across the political divide and has been welcomed by many MPs during debate.

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.

It is expected that the bill will pass its Third Reading in the House of Commons today and campaigners are appealing for the bill to receive Royal Assent before World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March 2022.

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: “All too often in recent years I’ve seen mothers and families and siblings fighting the same battles that my mum and dad and I were fighting fifty years ago. And it’s time for a change and change can now begin to happen. I can’t change history and I can’t change what happened for him but this is a twenty-first century bill for twenty-first century people. I think it’s fantastic”.