Our CHC team held a virtual co-production meeting celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (CSDP) 1970 Act. Here, our CHC Co-Production Group has written about the importance of the Act today:
“The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act (CSDP) came into effect in 1970, and this year will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. This was a crucial moment in history for those with ongoing health needs and for all current NHS Continuing Healthcare clients. In fact, this was the first specific piece of legislation covering the needs, requirements and rights for disabled people in the UK. It was a milestone laying a foundation for all the future developments of further legislation and the long struggle for disabled people’s rights. The Act was the birth-child of Alf Morris MP who later became Lord Morris, whose career was very much devoted to improving the conditions for disabled people.
“Over the past 50 years the Act has transformed the lives of millions of individuals across the United Kingdom, with the legislation being the first of its kind in enforcing that individuals with disabilities have rights which are to be respected and upheld by the law.
“This act required local councils to have personal discussions with individuals with disabilities in order to understand what their needs are, and how they were going to support them in meeting those needs. The act was far-reaching and ground-breaking in terms of the areas it covered. These are the key principles embedded into NHS Continuing Healthcare and all NHS professions today.”