17 November 2006

A children's health and research charity has launched a campaign that calls for improved provision of equipment for disabled children in the UK.

"It's Not Too Much To Ask", published on 17 November by BDF Newlife, is an initial call for action from the NHS. The charity's chief executive, Sheila Brown OBE, said: "The government is aware of the problems that disabled children face in getting the equipment they so desperately need. In the Prime Minister’s 2005 Strategy Unit report ‘Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People’ it recognises that delays in the provision of equipment exists. It states that “In a survey of 3,000 families with a severely disabled child 77% reported unmet needs for community equipment, for example, eating, going to the toilet and sleeping.”

The charity is recommending:
  • Define responsibilities for different government agencies and develop linked up policy.

  • Consider specialist commissioning for children’s disabled
    equipment needs.

  • Ensure the spending on children with disabilities is ring fenced
    from other pressures and is adequate.

  • Ensure the needs of disabled children are addressed promptly.

  • Learn from the families about their difficulties and plan a better service from this.

Read the report in full: www.bdfcharity.co.uk/Too_Much_Report_1.pdf

Read the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's response to the campaign launch: Support for the BDF Newlife campaign