Hansard

I thank Jackie Baillie for bringing the debate to Parliament. The motion raises a number of important issues.

We have all been affected by Covid-19, but, as others have said, it is important to recognise that some will have been affected more than others. Research by the Fraser of Allander institute noted that

“people with learning disabilities are far more likely to suffer with underlying health conditions and multiple comorbidities, which are risk factors for the severe health outcomes associated with COVID-19.”

The institute also noted that, given that information, it is safe to assume that those who suffer from learning disabilities will have been adversely impacted by the pandemic.

The Government has taken—and is taking—a number of welcome steps to address that and other concerns. Only last week, the chief medical officer confirmed the First Minister’s commitment that people with mild or moderate learning disabilities would be vaccinated as part of priority group 6, whereas that group previously included only individuals with cerebral palsy, severe or profound learning disabilities or Down’s syndrome. The inclusion of those with mild or moderate learning disabilities is certainly welcome.

The First Minister and the chief medical officer have also made it clear that nobody in any circumstances should be pushed into signing “do not resuscitate” forms. That is very important, and Jackie Baillie was right to raise concerns about that.

Today, the Scottish Government published its research report entitled “COVID-19 and Disabled People in Scotland—Health, Social and Economic Harms”, which looks at Covid-19 mortality rates and people with learning disabilities. The Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory research that is quoted in the report shows that, overall, people in the learning disabilities population are more than three times more likely to die of Covid-19 than people in the general population.

In response to the report’s findings, the Government has committed to publishing, in March, data on Covid-19 deaths in Scotland by disability status. Perhaps the minister will use the opportunity that today’s debate provides to update us on that welcome commitment and to talk about steps that the Government is taking to protect people with learning disabilities from Covid-19 and the associated impacts on their lives. The steps that have been taken so far to recognise and respond to the concerns of people with learning disabilities have been welcomed across the board and demonstrate a sincere determination to do everything possible to understand and limit the adverse effects of the pandemic on our most vulnerable groups.

That is not to say that we cannot do more. The Scottish Government has said that it will hold an inquiry into how it dealt with the pandemic, to learn lessons and to inform how it reacts to future public health emergencies. I urge the Government, in its inquiry, to listen to the voices of groups and individuals who represent the concerns of people with learning disabilities and to put those voices at the heart of any future strategy. I understand that many groups that represent people with learning disabilities have concerns about not just the direct health impact but the impact of emergency legislation on people’s human rights, the reduction in outside support and the financial consequences of the pandemic. I urge them to make their voices heard in a future inquiry.

I hope that a clearer road map out of the current situation is emerging as a result of the First Minister’s announcements today, so that we can all look to the future with renewed optimism.