Down’s Syndrome (Access to Services) Bill

He emphasises that people with Down’s syndrome should be able to access mainstream services and stresses the importance of not assigning a lower value to their lives. This is crucial for ensuring they are valued equally in society.

He congratulates Liam Fox on introducing the Bill and acknowledges the support provided by local organisations such as New Directions for people with Down’s syndrome in his constituency.

She supports the Bill and stresses the importance of providing services to individuals with Down’s syndrome from a young age to ensure they can be as independent as possible in adulthood.

She expresses support for the Bill and highlights her experience working with Down’s syndrome children, emphasising the need for all-encompassing care including social care, health, speech and language therapy, audiology. She stresses that early intervention is vital.

Congratulates the right hon. Member for North Somerset on his speech, expresses hope that Scotland and Wales will support legislative consent for the Bill, and highlights Northern Ireland's potential role in championing the legislation.

Supports the Bill initiated by Dr Fox, emphasising personal experience as a father of a child with Down’s syndrome. Acknowledges the superpowers and contributions of individuals with Down’s syndrome to their communities while highlighting the need for essential services and support from NHS, teachers, education professionals, local council, and voluntary sectors.

Highlights the personal story of Corina Gander and her daughter Daisy with Down's syndrome. Describes a case where Daisy was not taken seriously by doctors initially but received critical care when a health visitor intervened. Advocates for an integrated therapies advice clinic in Hertfordshire to provide coordinated services, aiming to alleviate parents' concerns about their children’s welfare as they age.

The MP highlights that two Down’s syndrome babies are born every week in Northern Ireland and celebrates this as an opportunity to support these individuals. He mentions inspirational stories of people with Down's syndrome, including Jacob Smyth and Grace Wilson, who have exceeded expectations due to positive environments provided by their parents and communities.

The MP supports the Bill by sharing personal experiences with Matilda, a constituent with Down’s syndrome. She discusses the barriers faced by individuals like Matilda in accessing appropriate education and healthcare, and praises the work of Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association in providing support to families. The MP also cites statistics from Mencap and NHS England indicating that only 6% of adults with learning disabilities have jobs.

Supports the Bill, highlighting its importance for human rights legislation. Emphasises lower health outcomes and lack of specific adapted services for people with Down’s syndrome. Urges guidance from the Secretary of State in areas like health, education, social care, and employment to improve life outcomes. Expresses concern over employment rates (6%) and educational challenges faced by individuals with Down's syndrome.

Congratulates Dr Fox on bringing forward the Bill. Acknowledges the devolved nature of health policy in Scotland but calls for similar legislation in Holyrood to avoid a postcode lottery. Supports clause 1, which imposes a duty on relevant authorities to have due regard to guidance on meeting needs of persons with Down’s syndrome.

Supports the Bill for destigmatising Down’s syndrome, highlighting personal experiences from Birmingham PHAB Camps that promote inclusivity and integration. Emphasises the importance of re-educating both public and professionals about the capabilities and achievements of individuals with Down’s syndrome, stressing their need for independent lives and equal opportunities in education, healthcare, and housing.

Supports the Bill aiming to improve services and life outcomes for people with Down’s syndrome. Highlights the importance of destigmatising Down’s syndrome, promoting equality at all societal levels, and ensuring that education, health, and local authorities take into account the specific needs of individuals with Down’s syndrome when providing services.

Elliot Colburn supports the Bill, highlighting its significance for thousands of people living with Down’s syndrome. He thanked campaigners, charities, and families from his constituency who motivated him to co-sponsor the bill. Colburn emphasised the importance of Get on Down's, a local group supporting families with children diagnosed with Down’s syndrome or prenatal diagnosis, providing services including support networks, external speakers, and congratulations packs for new parents. He cited shocking stories where parents received no signposting or support after receiving a prenatal diagnosis. Additionally, he discussed the challenges in accessing appropriate public services such as education, health, and care plans, particularly mentioning the issues faced by families in Sutton. Colburn stressed that the Bill will give legal backing to those who need it and improve guidance for delivering services tailored to individual needs.

Douglas Chapman interjected briefly, supporting Elliot Colburn’s points. He highlighted that the Bill is about changing attitudes and ensuring schools and support systems recognise children with Down's syndrome as individuals who deserve attention and professionalism.

Sally-Ann Hart supports the introduction of the Down’s Syndrome (Protection from Discrimination) Bill, which aims to establish a national strategy to improve provision and outcomes for people with Down’s syndrome in England. She emphasises the importance of legally recognising individuals with Down’s syndrome as a specific group to ensure they receive appropriate support. The Bill seeks to mandate local authorities to provide guidance on steps to meet the needs of those with Down’s syndrome, building on existing commitments by the Government to improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities. Hart highlights that children with Down’s syndrome should attend mainstream schools and argues that this is beneficial for their academic, social, and behavioural development. She also raises concerns about the lack of education, health and care plans for some children with Down’s syndrome, stating that proper support systems are not available to them. Additionally, she points out the low employment rate among people with Down’s syndrome in the UK and advocates for measures to improve job opportunities.