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The Department of Health and Social Care is calling on individuals with an interest in Down Syndrome and similar conditions to share their thoughts on new draft statutory guidance , following the Down Syndrome Act receiving Royal Assent in 2022. This guidance will advise authorities in health, social care, education and housing services on how to best cater to the needs of people with Down syndrome . It aims to clarify the support and services these individuals can expect, as well as raising awareness of the condition. MP Dr Zubir Ahmed announced the launch of the consultation , stating: "There is estimated to be around 47,000 people in the UK with Down syndrome who, despite existing legal duties and frameworks, often face real challenges accessing services and the right support due to a lack of understanding of their needs and how to meet them. "We are determined to set this right. That is why we are breaking down barriers to opportunity for disabled people through our 10 Year Health Plan, and today we are launching a consultation on draft statutory guidance under the Down Syndrome Act 2022." Anyone with an interest is now being invited to share their views on it for the next 12 weeks. The consultation will be open via an online survey that can be found here until 11:59pm on January 28, 2026. People who respond after this date will not be considered and any queries can be sent to email ndld.consultation@dhsc. gov.uk. Dr Ahmed stated in a written statement: "People with Down syndrome have the right to make informed decisions about their future. This Government recognises our duty to support them in achieving their goals and aspirations in life. "The guidance supports the government's aims to ensure disabled people's access to, and experience of, services is fair and effective. "During the passage of the Down Syndrome Act, it was clear there were concerns about ensuring that the guidance could have the widest possible benefit for people with other chromosomal conditions, genetic conditions and/or a learning disability who have similar needs, and we have sought to address areas where there are overlaps. "I am proud to say that people with lived experience, and the organisations who support them, have been at the heart of the work to develop this guidance. "I would like to thank all those people with lived experience, their families and carers, and partner organisations who have worked tirelessly to help us produce the draft guidance for consultation, and to all colleagues who supported us to get this over the line. "I look forward to receiving responses to this consultation to help us to develop guidance that has a real and lasting impact on people's lives." Down Syndrome is a condition that arises when an individual has an additional copy of chromosome 21. This not only impacts the development of the brain and body, but studies have also indicated that those with Down Syndrome are more likely to experience other medical conditions compared to the general population. These can range from hearing and visual impairments, congenital and acquired heart conditions, to early-onset dementia.
