'Failure of care'.

CARE for people with learning disabilities came under fire today in a report that found a litany of "significant and distressing failures" across the NHS and councils.

One man died as a result of failings in his care and it is likely that a second man's death could have been avoided, the Health Service and Local Government Ombudsmen ruled.

Patients with learning difficulties were treated less favourably than others, resulting in "prolonged suffering and inappropriate care", their report said.

An investigation was launched after charity, Mencap, made a complaint on behalf of the families of six vulnerable people who died in NHS or local authority care between 2003 and 2005.

The ombudsmen today called for an urgent review of health and social care for those with learning disabilities.

They found that Mark Cannon, 30, died as a consequence of public service failure by the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust and Havering Council in east London.

Mr Cannon, of Romford, Essex, was epileptic and had a severe learning difficulty which meant he had very little speech.

In June 2003 he broke his leg at a council care home and, despite receiving hospital treatment, died eight weeks later.

Tom Wakefield, 20, also died after a catalogue of failures on the part of the local NHS and council authorities, which led to a breach of his human rights, the report said.

Mencap said the conclusions were a "damning indictment" that confirmed an "appalling catalogue of neglect".

CAPTION(S):

LET DOWN: Tom Wakefield and Mark Cannon, right, both died under care