Learning disabilities, death rates and DNRs (again)

SinkGirl · 2021-02-13T19:07:39+00:00

How in the fuck is this happening again? And 18-34 year olds with learning disabilities 30x more likely to die from COVID than those without. Given this, surely those with learning disabilities should be prioritised for the vaccine. I’m so angry about this. [[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/13/new-do-not-resuscitate-orders-imposed-on-covid-19-patients-with-learning-difficulties?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR36u96_3oThaRJ4IacTKGS-HaEq7ooypuwDzqsqVz1Jl_UsN1fHbRoczLI]]

5zeds · 13/02/2021 19:16

Yes they should be

SeldomFollowedIt · 13/02/2021 19:26

Disgusting!!!!!!

Gobacktothe90s · 13/02/2021 19:51

I'm horrified that Drs are doing this after the guidelines had to be clarified to stop them doing this putting DNR on people with learning disabilities notes without consultation with them or their families.
This will be swept under the carpet like everything else.
No one cares and I bet there will be hardly any comments on this thread

Thousandmiles · 13/02/2021 20:20

I am completely disgusted by this - HOW is it happening?

Sadless · 13/02/2021 20:26

I was watching the news today about people with learning disabilities dying with covid and they need the vaccine.
I think the reason they are dying is because they don't get the same care as others do.

Sal

Abracadabra12345 · 13/02/2021 20:27

I want to cry. My son has moderate learning disabilities and autism. I wouldn’t be allowed to be with him in a Covid ward or advocate for him. He should be in a higher priority group: he hasn’t a clue about social distancing

HumphreyCobblers · 13/02/2021 20:28

Bloody hell 😡

Wannabangbang · 13/02/2021 20:28

This is scary

DinoHat · 13/02/2021 20:30

Could this be partly because people with learning disabilities tend to have other health problems?

DinoHat · 13/02/2021 20:32

I’ve read the article now and agree this is terrible.

MondayYogurt · 13/02/2021 20:32

I know a carer at an assisted living centre for this demographic and they've all had their jabs. The vaccine centre staff praised them for being so polite and easy to get through.

Abracadabra12345 · 13/02/2021 20:35

Because these young people have value and worth. My son and his friends don’t see the wheelchair or the disability in others, or the age or the colour. They just accept each other and other people. No malice, no bitching. Our son brings such joy to those he meets because of this. To know he would receive such discrimination is shocking.

His friend died in December aged 25. He had many preconditions but he caught Covid when it was tearing through the SE and that is not a way anyone wants to die. His parents are devastated. People would look at them and feel sorry for them, having a son who needed so much care but he was the centre of their world and there is a gaping hole in their lives.

reader108 · 13/02/2021 20:37

Absolutely disgusting treatment of our vulnerable in society

Original poster

SinkGirl · 13/02/2021 22:27

@Abracadabra12345

Because these young people have value and worth. My son and his friends don’t see the wheelchair or the disability in others, or the age or the colour. They just accept each other and other people. No malice, no bitching. Our son brings such joy to those he meets because of this. To know he would receive such discrimination is shocking.

His friend died in December aged 25. He had many preconditions but he caught Covid when it was tearing through the SE and that is not a way anyone wants to die. His parents are devastated. People would look at them and feel sorry for them, having a son who needed so much care but he was the centre of their world and there is a gaping hole in their lives.

I’m so sorry - that’s absolutely tragic.

I have two autistic children myself, one with other conditions too but fortunately none that makes him extremely vulnerable to COVID, and they are so young still that I’m sure they would be treated. It’s unthinkable that when they are adults they could be treated this way.

There was a huge uproar about this in the first lockdown, I cannot understand how this has been allowed to happen again. When I saw the headline I assumed it was one of the old stories but no.

OP posts:

AgntOso · 13/02/2021 22:31

They should be prioritised, it's disgusting and so frightening.

AnniversaryScaresMe · 13/02/2021 22:36

It's so wrong that people can simultaneously be counted as having an underlying condition that warrants a DNR, and yet not be prioritised for a vaccine on the same basis.

Original poster

SinkGirl · 13/02/2021 22:38

And yes, I’m not at all shocked by it - time and again through all this disabled people have been massively let down, whether it’s removing legal rights to social care or EHCPs. This is another level - anyone who’s been found to be putting DNRs on anyone’s records without consent should be subject to an investigation. Where is the scrutiny?

I have no doubt the reason that the death rate is so much higher is because the care they receive is so much poorer.

I agree this likely won’t get many responses and I’m hoping that no one comes along to agree with these actions. If anyone is reading and you’re tempted to say this, please keep it to yourself.

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Original poster

SinkGirl · 13/02/2021 22:38

@AnniversaryScaresMe

It's so wrong that people can simultaneously be counted as having an underlying condition that warrants a DNR, and yet not be prioritised for a vaccine on the same basis.

Exactly this.

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AnniversaryScaresMe · 13/02/2021 22:51

Thinking about it more... The carers (paid and unpaid) of these people are prioritised for vaccination, but not the disabled people themselves. Wow. That's basically saying, we don't want to have to look after you.

hatgirl · 13/02/2021 22:53

I'm not sure how it's working in all areas but I work with people with learning disabilities and they have all nearly had their first jab now. I'm talking at least 100+ people age 20 - 80 that I'm personally aware of.

The DNAR is highlighted by covid but not caused by it. It's been an issue for a loooooong time. Shameful.

Original poster

SinkGirl · 13/02/2021 22:57

Severe or profound learning disability is in group 6, but given the high death rates I would argue they should be in group 4 with people who are ECV?

I’ve also seen some comments today which suggest that even mild learning disabilities are leading to worse outcomes than those without, and those people won’t be vaccinated until the rest of the population.

Obviously group 1 was residents and staff of care homes for the elderly but I expect adults with LDs in residential care are also very vulnerable (especially as it was some residential care homes who put the DNRs in place first time round).

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Original poster

SinkGirl · 13/02/2021 22:59

@hatgirl

I'm not sure how it's working in all areas but I work with people with learning disabilities and they have all nearly had their first jab now. I'm talking at least 100+ people age 20 - 80 that I'm personally aware of.

The DNAR is highlighted by covid but not caused by it. It's been an issue for a loooooong time. Shameful.

That’s good to hear. I think it varies so much across the U.K. doesn’t it, where areas are up to. And you’re absolutely right that this has been an issue for a long time generally, but it seems the CQC believe it has increased.

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AnniversaryScaresMe · 13/02/2021 23:07

Personally I think people who struggle to socially distance or need care should be higher up the priority list. Including autism, mental health issues etc.

pinkearedcow · 13/02/2021 23:07

I read the article earlier and was horrified. How can this be allowed to happen? It is a scandal.

Dustyboots · 13/02/2021 23:10

Why is there never any fight for equality - as far as disability is concerned?

It seems so forgotten and ignored.

We make such a fuss (and rightly so) about gender and racial equality etc - but disability seems barely ever to be mentioned.