The quality and effectiveness of health and social care given to people with learning disabilities has been shown to be deficient in a number of ways.

Despite numerous previous investigations and reports, many professionals are either not aware of, or do not include in their usual practice, approaches that adapt services to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities. The CIPOLD study has shown the continuing need to identify people with learning disabilities in healthcare settings, and to record, implement and audit the provision of ‘reasonable adjustments’ to avoid their serious disadvantage.