A new report has been launched in parliament setting out the case for a deal for the learning disability sector. The report focuses on realising the potential of technology to boost investment and transform the way care is delivered and was produced by national learning disabilities charity Hft, supported by Tunstall Healthcare.

On the day, attendees were invited to pledge their support for the sector deal and had the opportunity to be involved in shaping what that would look like. More than 100 guests, including MPs, peers and civil servants, as well as social care providers and telecare organisations, attended a reception on Monday 15th July in the Cholmondeley Room at the House of Lords.

Assistive technology can make a positive difference to people with all kinds of learning disabilities, and in a variety of living environments.

From managing risks such as fires or falling, to aiding communication and helping to deliver greater privacy or dignity, technology can enable people to have more control over the way they live their lives. Not only can technology enhance more traditional care solutions by managing risk in the home environment, it can also connect people with their wider community, with mobile devices which enable users to travel to work and leisure activities, and can increase social inclusion.

At Tunstall, we believe the successful negotiation of a learning disability sector deal would enable effective investment that could unlock the potential of assistive technologies. In turn, this would stimulate innovation and investment in future services, bring financial sustainability to providers within the sector, and ultimately deliver enhanced outcomes for people with learning disabilities.

As well as transforming the way people with learning disabilities live their lives, technology can also transform the ability of our health, housing and social care systems to support them more effectively.

Tunstall is proud to support the Sector Deal proposal, and its aim of delivering wide-ranging economic benefits and progressing towards a better future for people with learning disabilities in the UK.

Gavin Bashar is UK & Ireland managing director of Tunstall Healthcare