THE care minister has waged war on a care system “that has failed so many people with learning disabilities”, including Connor Sparrowhawk.

Yesterday Minister for Health Norman Lamb launched a threemonth consultation into strengthening the rights of people learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions.

Mr Lamb said that the consultation was prompted by the “tragic” and “preventable” death of 18-year-old Connor Sparrowhawk, who died when he drowned in a bath after having an epileptic fit at The Slade in-patient assessment centre in Headington. The centre, operated by Southern Health NHS Trust, has since closed.

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Member of Oxford learning disability independence charity My Life My Choice, Kevin Preen, 54, from Abingdon, said: “Many people with learning disabilities still feel shocked by the way Connor Sparrowhawk died.”

The minister said: “The [short term assessment] centres, like the one where Connor was, are supposed to be short term, but people spend far too much time in this alien environment.

“What I want to see is families and people with learning disabilities be given the chance to live independently to the best of their abilities and to be part of the community.”

Mr Lamb claimed that although providing carers and community accommodation for people with learning disabilities, it would be far less expensive than in-patient facilities.

Connor’s mother Sara Ryan, who has been involved in setting up the new consultation, said she was “cautiously optimistic” about the outcome of the consultation.

The Oxford University researcher said: “For far too long people with learning disabilities have been marginalised.

“They should have the same right to choose where they live as much as anyone else who does not have learning disabilities.”

Dr Ryan added: “We have been involved in the bill and they’ve had us down to London to ask us questions and give our opinion on draft versions of the consultation.”

The Liberal Democrat minister said: “I hope that whoever is in the next government will act on the good work that has been done here.

“The families and people with learning disabilities deserve a lot more.”