Healthcare rationing for people with learning disabilities

Abstract

The recent case of Jo, a Down's Syndrome child who was initially refused a heart and lung transplant (BBC TV 1996) has raised the issue of rationing health care. This article discusses the issues surrounding rationing and looks critically at some of the definitions and assumptions it is based upon. The historical and the future impact of various types of rationing upon people with learning disabilities is highlighted. The author argues that people with learning disabilities would benefit from a more explicit rationing system to enable decisions, made possibly on prejudiced grounds, at least to be challenged.

Nursing Care of Special Populations: Issues in Caring for Elderly People With Mental Retardation

“…Providers also may be concerned about disrupting their other patients if individuals with MR are kept waiting too long in the reception area (Horwitz et al, 2000). The discomfort that has been described when interacting with MR patients often influences the quality of care provided (Grossman et al, 2000;Howells, 1996;Lennox & Kerr;Parkes, 1996).…”

Health Disparities and Mental Retardation

“…Differences in referral patterns for people with MR based on income were found in one study, suggesting the need for culturally sensitive, community‐based intervention programs (Slone, Durrheim, Lachman, & Kaminer, 1998). Researchers also identified unmet health care needs because of discrimination, stigmatization, and stereotypical beliefs (Houghton, 2001; Parkes, 1996). The stigma of MR has been linked to societal misunderstandings, even among many health care providers, further adding to individual burden.…”

“…The stigma of MR has been linked to societal misunderstandings, even among many health care providers, further adding to individual burden. This discomfort that has been described when interacting with MR patients influences the quality of care provided (Grossman, Richards, Anglin, & Hutson, 2000; Howells, 1996; Lennox & Kerr, 1997; Parkes, 1996).…”

Are People with Intellectual Disabilities Represented in European Public Health Surveys?

“…2001). Arguably, discrimination, stigmatization and stereotypical beliefs regarding people with intellectual disabilities (Parkes 1996; Houghton 2001) are among the factors likely to contribute to their unmet health needs.…”