Dear Members
I hope that you are keeping safe and well. Following publication of the Wales Disability Reference Group’s statement on 8 April regarding Coronavirus and the Rights of Disabled People in Wales, more than 1400 individuals and organisations joined Disability Wales, Learning Disability Wales, Wales Council of the Blind and Wales Council for Deaf People in supporting our Statement:
https://www.ldw.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-and-the-rights-of-disabled-people-in-wales/
I am pleased to inform you that since publication, Welsh Government has implemented the following actions:
- Coronavirus: ethical values and principles for healthcare delivery framework (Guidance for healthcare services when making decisions during the coronavirus outbreak) – published 12 April 2020.
- Covid 19 Moral and Ethical Advisory Group for Wales (CMEAG-Wales) convened to advise on issues relating to moral, ethical, cultural and faith considerations, and provide a source of advice to health services to inform equitable and just management of issues arising from the health care emergency response to the Covid 19 Pandemic – announced 14 April 2020.
- Letter from Welsh Government’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer to NHS Wales directors and chief executives “seeking to ensure there is clarity around ethical decision making for people with any protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010” and Covid-19, including Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR). Read an easy read version of the letter here.
- Links to Welsh Language versions of the letter may be found here:
Many thanks for your vital support in ensuring that our voice is heard. We trust that members will find reassurance in this guidance given such worrying times. Please share widely with your friends, family and members. We will also upload these documents to our website for future reference.
I represent Disability Wales on the Covid 19 Moral and Ethical Advisory Group for Wales and welcome hearing about the experiences of members regarding these matters to help inform and influence the work of the Group.
Stay safe
Rhian
Rhian Davies
Chief Executive/Prif Weithredydd
Covid-19 – Disability Wales continues to operate during this time. Our staff are working remotely and can be contacted by telephone, email and online. We are continuing to bring together resources, advice and updates to help our members stay informed and access support during the coronavirus pandemic.
We are in regular contact with Welsh Government, policy and decision-makers about ensuring that disabled people’s social, financial, health and care needs are met and that we have all the accessible information we need.
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns that we may be able to help with.
For more information please visit our web-site and follow our updates on social media – details below. Keep safe and well.
Email: info@disabilitywales.org
Phone: 02920 887325
Visit our website: www.disabilitywales.org
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DisabilityWales
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DisabilityWales
Disability Wales/Anabledd Cymru is the national association of disabled people’s organisation in Wales striving to achieve the rights and equality of all disabled people.
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Disability Wales/Anabledd Cymru is a registered Charity No: 517391 and a Company Limited by Guarantee No: 1998621