PLANS for new legislation following the death of a Headington boy will be announced by the Minister for Health this week.

Care Minister Norman Lamb will announce the findings of a study that could shake up England’s learning disability care system.

Mr Lamb said that the Green Paper – a Government consultation into possible changes to laws – was the result of the “scandalous death” of 18-year-old Connor Sparrowhawk in July 2013.

Connor drowned at the in-patient facility in The Slade, Headington after suffering an epileptic fit in the bath.

An inquest found Connor’s death was “preventable”.

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Subsequent inspections carried out by by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) criticised The Slade operator Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, which eventually closed the unit.

The Green Paper will look at strengthening the rights of people with learning disabilities and their families.

Mr Lamb said he had worked closely with Connor’s mother Dr Sara Ryan, who is campaigning for justice over the death of her son.

He said: “We know more needs to be done to make sure people with learning disabilities are treated with compassion, dignity and respect.

Spokeswoman for the Department of Health Nicola Basterndorff added: “The Green Paper will set outmeasures intended to strengthen the rights of people with mental health issues, learning disabilities and autism to live independently, to be included in their community, and to be more involved in decisions about their own care.”

An inquest review into the death of Connor will meet in October and an independent review into the deaths of people under the care of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust is due this month.

Last week, the CQC released results of an inspection carried out last year that found Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust’s services required improvement.