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Karen died of cancer in April 2013 when she was only 44.

This was the tragic ending to three years of distress and worry after Karen, who had a learning disability (LD), was moved from home following an assessment of capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005*.

Why have I decided to have Karen's Page?

To inform families of people with learning difficulties what problems they may encounter and help to prevent a similar tragedy happening to them.

A report about our survey into annual health checks has now been published (see below):

As Karen loved butterflies I am using a butterfly as a symbol for improving the awareness of problems encountered by people with a learning disability and their families

*once over 18y a person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established via an assessment that they lack capacity: http://www.essex.gov.uk/Business-Partners/Partners/Adult-Social-Care-providers/Pages/Mental-Capacity-Act-for-professionals.aspx

Update: The House of Lords Committee reports on misuse of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 - this article mentions Steven Neary's case. There needs to be a change in this law, repeal and/or proper training of those implementing it: BBC Article

 

Annual Health Check Survey Report

Our report on The Views of Carers of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities on Annual Health Checks - Final Report - published on the Public Health England - Improving Health and Lives website. The impetus to do this was because Karen, my daughter, had learning disabilities and to help other people with LD: 

The Views of Carers of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities on Annual Health Checks - Final Report

 

Derbyshire project to promote cancer screening in people with LD

I'm pleased to say that Derbyshire has set up a project to promote screening for breast, bowel and cervical cancer in people with LD amongst GPs and other groups.