Special Olympian appointed to Dept. of Health position in Britain

From the Isle of Wight County Press in the UK:

A Special Olympian who represents the Island, has been appointed to a top learning disabilities role with the Department of Health (DoH).

Island man Scott Watkin is the department’s new co-national director for learning disabilities.

The 27 year old, who has learning difficulties, was appointed to help turn the department’s learning disability strategy into a reality.

During the three-year post, Scott will speak with people with learning disabilities, the organisations that represent them, their families, public and independent organisations that provide services for them, together with voluntary and lobby groups.

He will report back to the DoH, which will use the information to help develop government policy on the provision of the needs of people with learning disabilities.
He will also help to improve their links with family care groups.

Scott, a medal winner with the Isle of Wight Special Olympics team as a sprinter and long jumper, is a former vice-chairman of the Isle of Wight Gateway Club and co-chaired the Isle of Wight Learning Disability Partnership Board.

He said: “I’d like the lives of people with a learning disability to change for the better. I want to meet people and ensure local authorities are providing the services they want. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Care services minister Phil Hope said Scott’s skills and experience would be a great asset to the DoH.

Helen Shields, director of commissioning for the Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust, said: “This is very good news for the Island. User involvement in the commissioning of services is key to influencing service design and policy at local and national level.”