“I don’t want to die.”

ITV News investigates Adrian's death, a man with Down’s syndrome, was left without food for 9 days in hospital and Louis, just 17, who died after his illness went undiagnosed.   These are not isolated tragedies, they are part of a wider crisis as shocking figures from the Royal College of Nursing show a 43% decline in learning disability nurse numbers since 2009. People with a learning disability already face stark health inequalities, and are dying on average nearly 20 years earlier than the general population according to the LeDeR report.   Learning disability nurses play a critical role in preventing these deaths, yet the workforce is shrinking at an alarming rate.   Today, Mencap and other charities, campaigners and health organisations have written to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting MP, warning of what a decrease in learning disability nursing will mean for people with a learning disability.   Jon Sparkes OBE, Mencap Chief Executive said: 💬 “Learning disability nurses save lives. Without urgent intervention, this profession will disappear, leaving people with a learning disability at even greater risk.”   "We urge the Government to act now, recommit to the workforce plan, fund training, and stop this crisis before it’s too late.”   We are calling for an urgent meeting with Ministers to agree a rescue plan for the learning disability nurse profession and safeguard the health and lives of people with a learning disability. 👉 Read our joint letter and full statement https://www.mencap.org.uk/press-release/mencap-joins-charities-campaigners-and-health-leaders-warn-… Video description: Clips of Louis in his family home with his iPad and action figure whilst his family describe his story.