Scottish
Learning Disabilities
Observatory

New study looks at the impact of COVID-19 on family carers

A new collaborative study will explore the experiences of family carers of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and co-design an intervention to support their future wellbeing. The research team involves partners at Queen's University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, the University of South Wales and the University of Sheffield with Dr Maria Truesdale from the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory as the Scottish lead.
Find out more about this study. 

SLDO statement on COVID-19 vaccination priority for people with learning disabilities

We wholeheartedly welcome the decision by the Scottish Government, announced on 22^nd February, to invite all people with learning/intellectual disabilities in Scotland for Covid-19 vaccination as part of priority group 6. We also welcome today’s decision by the UK Government to prioritise all people with learning/intellectual disabilities in England for vaccination. These decisions will bring relief to people with learning/intellectual disabilities and their families.

The Observatory team’s analysis of data on COVID-19 mortality and infection risk for the population with learning/intellectual disabilities in Scotland provided robust evidence to support these decisions. Our recent study shows that compared to the general population, people with learning/intellectual disabilities are at 3 times greater risk of death due to Covid-19, twice as likely to become infected with COVID-19 and twice as likely to have a severe COVID-19 infection.  People with learning/intellectual disabilities already experience significantly worse health outcomes and excess mortality compared to the general population. These inequalities are reflected in this important study.

We are encouraged that the vaccine prioritisation has been amended to include this marginalized population and we will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government and health and care professionals to identify ways to further reduce risk of Covid-19 infection for people with learning/intellectual disabilities. 

We stand alongside our colleagues at partner organisations who have worked tirelessly to influence the decision making around vaccine prioritisation and we recognise their invaluable contribution to ensuring that people with learning/intellectual disabilities receive urgently needed care and protection. We would also like to thank Joan McAlpine MSP, Jackie Baillie MSP and Claire Haughey MSP, Minister for Mental Health, for their work in advocating for the needs and rights of people with learning/intellectual disabilities in Scotland.

Published on 24.2.21 

New SLDO study looks at the impact of COVID-19 on people with learning disabilities in Scotland

Researchers at the Observatory recently conducted a study to look at COVID-19 infection and severe outcomes for people with learning disabilities in the first wave of the pandemic, between January and August 2020.

A summary of the preliminary findings from this study is now available.

SLDO researchers lead pioneering new study into suicide risk and incidence in people with autism

This new study, led by SLDO in collaboration with Autistica, Edinburgh and Lothian Asperger Society, the University of Edinburgh and colleagues at the University of Glasgow, will be the first in the world to investigate suicide risk and incidence in a whole country population of people with autism. Find out more. 

Research Voices Citizens' Jury Recommendations Report now available

The Research Voices project brought together a group of individuals with learning disabilities to form a Citizens’ Jury to discuss and challenge existing practices around health research. The report from this project is now available together with two short videos where the Citizens' Jury members share their experiences of the process and their ten recommendations for overcoming barriers to engagement with research. Find out more about this work.

Reports & publications

We publish reports relevant to learning disabilities and autism policy and practice.

View our full list of reports and publications here.

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