The Department of Health and Social Care has published new guidance to ensure health and care staff have skills to provide care for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
The guidance is designed to ensure that people with a learning disability and autistic people will get safer, more personalised care.
Currently, those with a learning disability or autistic people face poorer health outcomes than the general population.
The Oliver McGowan code of practice on statutory learning disability and autism training aims to ensure staff have the right skills to provide care.
It sets out the standards that providers are expected to meet to be compliant with the law and help make sure patients are kept safe.
The Code of Practice is named after Oliver McGowan, an 18-year-old from Bristol with a mild learning disability who died following a severe reaction to medication given to him against his and his family’s strong wishes.
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock said: "I pay tribute to Paula McGowan OBE and Tom McGowan and their formidable campaign to improve the care of people with a learning disability and autistic people after the tragic death of their son, Oliver.
"Through their work, they have shown extraordinary dedication, commitment and passion – Oliver’s memory and legacy lives through them.
"This government recognises the appalling health inequalities faced by people with a learning disability and autistic people.
"Everyone deserves to receive high-quality, empathetic and dignified care but this cannot be achieved if staff do not have the right training. The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice published today will be a boost for anyone with a learning disability or autistic people, their families and loved ones."
Tom Cahill CBE, National Director, Learning Disability and Autism NHS England said: "We know that often the quality of care and support for people with a learning disability and autistic people has not been good enough and we are determined to make this better .
"This code of practice – a result of Paula and Tom McGowan’s tireless dedication - will mean all NHS staff have the training and support they need to reduce inequalities and give people with a learning disability or autistic people the care they deserve."
