High Peak MP Tom Levitt has shown his support for improving disabled children’s health services by attending a Parliamentary reception organised by the campaigning organisation Every Disabled Child Matters. EDCM’s new report, ‘Disabled Children and Health’, highlights the shortcomings of health services to meet the needs of some disabled children, not least those needing palliative care.

Over 80 MPs attended the event and talked with disabled children and their families along with representatives from Primary Care Trusts, local authorities and voluntary organisations. Lavinia Scott, a disabled young person, called on doctors and other health workers to listen to young people and their parents. She said: “They don’t always listen when you first say something is wrong! Then they come back to you when it is too late to tell you what you already knew.”

EDCM’s campaign report highlights challenges across a range of health services. Disabled children face barriers accessing health services such as GPs and dentists, often due to inappropriate attitudes from health professionals or a lack of training.

Parents tell of waiting years to receive a wheelchair that meets their child’s needs, with the child having out-grown the chair by the time it is delivered.

Tom Levitt said “The Government has pledged to make sure that everyone gets support from health and other services that is tailored to their needs. This means breaking down barriers between services and joining up government better. Passing the buck is no longer acceptable. This is a tall order, but we are committed to making services better for all our patients, including children with disabilities.”

Mr Levitt is a sponsor of Early Day Motion 1640 on Disabled Children and Health which highlights the EDCM report. EDCM is writing to government Ministers and Primary Care Trusts asking them to respond to the report’s recommendations.

Click here to sign up to support the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign.