Dear Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland),

Nigel Chambers from Dept of health, learning disabilities team, in relation to restricting the movement , freedom and day care/ respite servcies for the learning disabled in NI has stated:

1.services "remain subject to infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance to minimise the risks associated with Covid-19 and respiratory illness."

Please outline why WHSCT have decided to focus on the learning disabled and not any other group of people within the WHSCT for imposing these restictions?

he also stated;

2.
"Trusts are currently identifying placement in day opportunities for this cohort of service users to ensure that they have a meaningful range of day activities aligned to their assessed needs."

Outline exectly what WHSCT are doing to
"identifying placement in day opportunities for this cohort of service users to ensure that they have a meaningful range of day activities aligned to their assessed needs."

3.
Mr Chambers wrote:
of the importance of
"balanc(ing) Covid-19 risks with the wider risks to mental health and wellbeing associated with reduced community services. "

What exactly is the WHSCT doing to balance Covid-19 risks with the wider risks to mental health and wellbeing associated with reduced community services. "

4. WHSCT will be aware that the following laws are being breached by the immediate wihdrawal of those in care homes from day care, with no wean off period, no substitute and no best interests meetings with families.

Human Rights act articles 3,5,8
UN CRPD article 19
Mental capacity act NI 2016
Social care reform act 2009
The Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

*what evidence exists of WHSCT justifying breaking all of these laws and
*what evidience exists of its plans to recfifty this and when?

Yours faithfully,

Joan Corrigan