ACCESS to healthcare for people with learning disabilities is set to improve under a new initiative being launched next week.

The Action for Health Framework for people with learning disabilities in Blackburn with Darwen is being implemented after it was discovered they were having problems getting healthcare and advice.

A 2001 Department of Health report, Value in People, said more needed to be done to remove inequalities in health care for people with learning disabilities and challenge discrimination.

It was left up to local health authorities to deal with such issues within their communities but the Blackburn and Darwen community nursing team set up a successful pilot scheme which has been running for more than a year at Montague Health Centre.

The framework implemented by Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust (PCT) aims to get all people with learning disabilities registered with a GP and to have a Health Action Plan, listing things they need to do to stay healthy, by June 2005.

The database shows 747 with a learning disability known to the community nursing team, 116 children and 631 over the age of 18.

The framework, made possible by internal funding only, will be officially launched on June 22 by Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT's chief executive Mark Wilkinson at Bridge House in Whalley Banks, Blackburn. A drop-in session for anyone wanting to find out more about the framework is also planned.