Mencap urges NHS to improve disabled patient care

Greater awareness is needed in how to treat people with disabilities after a man died in a hospital following complications from kidney dialysis, a charity said.

Jordan Tooke, 30, from Norwich, died in August after a line from a dialysis machine became detached, causing an air embolism that triggered a fatal brain injury.

Mr Tooke's mother, Camilla Tooke, believed her son had been subjected to discrimination at the hospital based on his disability and questioned whether doctors had done all they could to save his life.

Jon Sparkes, the chief executive of Mencap, said: "All healthcare professionals should receive training to ensure unbiased decision making."

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, which treated Mr Tooke, said: "We are committed to provide the best care for people with a learning disability and autistic people and to make adjustments when necessary to access the care they need."

Mr Tooke had Williams Syndrome - a condition affecting development - and autism. He was non-verbal and had learning disabilities.

He was later diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and a Court of Protection order led to him being put on dialysis.

During the inquest into Mr Tooke's death, Ms Tooke said following her son's embolism, "Dr Fletcher [the head intensive care consultant] said 'well, what quality of life does he have anyway":[]}