Premature deaths - how many could be avoided

Aim:
To provide evidence about the extent to which people with
learning disabilities are dying prematurely and the
contributory factors in their care that could potentially be
modified so this doesn’t happen in the future
Methods:
The Confidential Inquiry investigated the deaths of all
people with learning disabilities (aged four and older) in a
clearly defined geographical area who died between June
2010 and May 2012.
Conclusions:
This is the first UK mortality study of people with learning
disabilities which has gone beyond age and cause of death
data, as it has identified potentially contributory factors in
relation to the deaths. The Inquiry revealed that the quality
and effectiveness of health and social care given to people
with learning disabilities was deficient in a number of ways.
Over a third of deaths could have been avoided through
good quality healthcare. The Inquiry made 18 key
recommendations which, were they implemented, would
reduce the risk of premature death in people with learning
disabilities.