New disabled co-national director for DOH

By Cathy Reay

The Department of Health (DoH) has appointed campaigner Scott Watkin, who has learning disabilities, as co-national director for learning disabilities.

Mr Watkin has been appointed to help deliver the department’s Valuing People Now strategy, which sets out the government’s vision for people with learning disabilities over the next three years.

Speaking to Disability Now, Mr Watkin said: “I’m delighted with my new role and I know there are challenges ahead, but I am confident that, with a great team behind me, we can ensure that the lives of people with learning disabilities change for the better and that we will deliver the Valuing People Now strategy successfully."

One of the key issues Mr Watkin wants to look at is personalisation of services. “I want to ensure that disabled people have the same rights as everyone else, and that includes being able to choose services the way they want and need them,” he said.

Care services minister Phil Hope said he was delighted to appoint Mr Watkin to his new role. He added: “Scott’s skills and experience will be a great asset to the Department and with his help we will make sure that people with learning disabilities have a strong voice to influence policymaking at senior government level.”

Mr Watkin previously co-chaired the Isle of Wight’s Learning Disability Partnership Board, where he assisted in restructuring the board in anticipation of the Valuing People Now strategy.

• The Valuing People Now strategy can be downloaded in full from the Department of Health website: http://www.dh.gov.uk

19 May 2009