Prevalence of seizures in people with Down’s syndrome is higher than the general population.
There are two peaks of incidence – during the first two years of life and between 20 and 30 years. However, some people develop them later in life.
As people with Down’s syndrome become older their chances of getting epilepsy increases. About 46% of people (nearly one in two) with Down’s syndrome who are older than the age of 50 have a diagnosis of epilepsy.
Individuals with Down’s syndrome who develop Alzheimer’s dementia have epilepsy much more often than individuals who don’t have Alzheimer’s dementia.
Seizures are generally very obvious, however, sometimes it can be diff icult to know if someone is having a seizure.

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  This guidance is for public health staff commissioning or running weight management services and other mainstream health professionals working to support people to lose weight. It is also for family carers, social care staff and learning disabilities professionals. It advises about specific aspects of weight management for people with learning disabilities.

The NHS Long Term Plan was developed in partnership with those who know the NHS best – frontline health and care staff, patients and their families and other experts. Read our report to find out more.

There are key points relating to people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/publication/nhs-long-term-plan/

A disabled woman died after having all her teeth removed by a dentist at an NHS trust criticised for its “drastic” full extractions from other vulnerable patients.

Read the article here

Social Care inspections do not include specific reference to relationships & sex, making it possible to receive an ‘outstanding’ rating, whilst ignoring an essential part of people’s lives. CQC said they cannot add mandatory questions for inspectors without amending the Health & Social Care Act.

The questions submitted to CQC have been added as supplementary but not mandatory, meaning inspectors can currently choose not to ask them. The questions covered sexuality & relationships polices, sexual health, sexual rights and training for staff and people who use services. Read more about them https://www.choicesupport.org.uk/blog/easy-complacency-or-hard-commitment

Social care staff are faced with difficult situations and are often untrained in this area, as it is not seen as a priority.

You can support this issue by adding you name to this petition.

Supported Loving have also shared some helpful relationship videos and resources:

Videos- Two clips from the U-Night Group to share with the network (must be opened in Chrome)

1.This is a video about the importance of relationships, featuring self advocates from across Lancashire https://drive.google.com/open?id=1dQFDi4uiccIpJHYsaTIWoQGSeAgKTCf7

2.This is a clip about the launch of our training pack ‘Listen Up-about staying safe in relationships’ https://drive.google.com/open?id=1BobPMZHjlPhYCge_5dg4r8GMwM63XVqZ

If anyone wants more details they can contact Sue via sueamberco@aol.com

New Publication– Older people in care homes: Sex, Sexuality and Intimate Relationships  – The Royal College of Nursing @