Adults with Down’s Syndrome have been added to the group of people who are considered as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’. This means that they have been considered as at higher risk from coronavirus. The decision has been agreed across all four nations of the UK by their Chief Medical Officers.
Easy read letter
The Welsh Government has written a letter to people deemed to be at a higher risk from coronavirus. All adults with Down’s Syndrome have been sent an easy read letter in the post. Learning Disability Wales and Down’s Syndrome Association Wales assisted the Welsh Government with the easy read version.
The letter asks people to take extra care but it does not say people should be shielding. Being included on the list means that people should follow the same rules as the rest of the population, but also take extra precaution. The guidance is advisory and therefore all individuals will want to make their own choices and decisions about keeping safe. The guidance is also for family and friends of people classified as extremely vulnerable, who want guidance on how to keep their friend/family member safe.
Down’s Syndrome Association
The Down’s Syndrome Association have offered some caution to people being added to the list. They say “Based on the results of an international study, we are reluctant to consider younger adults under 40 years of age and children with Down syndrome as an “extremely vulnerable group”, except for those individuals who have significant coexisting health concerns. They also say “professionals also need to ensure that adults who have Down’s syndrome continue to be treated as unique and individual and that the advisory guidance for those on the list is not imposed arbitrarily or without their consent.”
Useful Resources
- Easy read letter to all classed as ‘extremely clinically vulnerable’
- Easy read DoHSC – coronavirus why we have added adults with Down’s Syndrome to the high risk group
- Learning Disability Wales useful resources about Coronavirus, including some good easy read guides for people with a learning disability in Wales.
- Down’s Syndrome Association Coronavirus resources
Down’s Syndrome Association Helpline
If you have any questions, you can contact the Down’s Syndrome Association’s Helpline and Information Team on info@downs-syndrome.co.uk or call them on 0333 1212 300 Monday – Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm (not premium rate). You can also access their support, as well as from other parents and carers, in their closed Facebook group.
Wales Learning Disability Helpline
Wales Learning Disability Helpline: Free phone: 0808 8000 300 Opening times; 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday & Bank Holidays Email: helpline.wales@mencap.org.uk
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