Still a bit baffled by the Tory template [copy below] being pinged out by MPs in response to requests from constituents to support the #LBBill. Some people see this as a sign that the campaign is weighty and demands a response. That it’s referencing the Green Paper, keeping it out there. Yep, I can see that. I also find it pretty offensive to see cut and paste jobbies stating how “deeply saddened” MPs are by LB’s death.

“No you ain’t”, I want to snarl at them. “If you were you wouldn’t blooming well template it…”

Maybe there are bereavement templates in Tory HQ. Who knows. Maybe there’s a whole filing cabinet of templates. One for every occasion. Bit like LB used to say he had a girlfriend for every occasion; camping and funerals.

I’m interested in who produced the template and on whose say. It’s a masterpiece in saying nothing, while saying so much.

I was greatly saddened to learn about the case of Connor Sparrowhawk. I understand that past-mortem findings have shown that that he died as a result of drowning, likely to have been caused by an epileptic seizure.

I am deeply sorry that Connor died whilst in the care of Southern Health NHS Trust who I understand have acknowledged that they failed to undertake the necessary actions required to keep him safe. I think it is quite right that the hospital has now apologised unreservedly to Connor’s family.

I read the proposed Private Member Bill with great interest. I think it is an important contribution to the ongoing debate about how we best improve care for people with learning disabilities. You may be interested to know that during the last Parliament, the Department of Health held a consultation called ‘No voice unheard, no right ignored’ which looked into precisely this issue. In particular it included a section called ‘My right to be independent, to be part of a community and to live in a home I have chosen’.

I hope this is an area that the newly elected Government will choose to examine carefully before deciding how best to support and care for patients.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.