Our ref:           DE00000333258

 

18 August 2008

Dear Mr Reynolds,

 

Thank you for your email requesting information, under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, about the classification of a learning difficulty.  Your request was received on 21 July and it has been passed to me for reply.

 

I can confirm that the Department of Health does not use the definition ‘learning difficulty’ as this is related more to education than health services.  Instead, we use the term ‘learning disability’.

 

As stated in the Valuing People White Paper about learning disabilities (published in March 2001), the term ‘learning disability’ includes the presence of a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, or to learn new skills (impaired intelligence).  Also with a reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning) that started before adulthood, and with a lasting effect on development.

 

I hope this reply is helpful.  If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me.  Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

 

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to the Section Head of the Department’s Freedom of Information Unit at the following address:

 

Freedom of Information Unit

Department of Health

Room 334b

Skipton House

80 London Road

SE1 6LH

 

Email:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xx.xxx.xxx.xx

 

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision.  Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Department.  The ICO can be contacted at:

 

The Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Stuart Craig

Department of Health

Room 317

79 Whitehall

London SW1A 2NS