The Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman’s report, ‘Six Lives’, highlighted failings in health and social care services that led to premature and avoidable deaths of people with learning disabilities. These letters from the Director General for Social Care Local Government and Care Partnerships and the National Director for Learning Disabilities to SHA chief executives and Directors of Adult Social Services respectively set out the action needed to respond to the recommendations set out in the ‘Six Lives’ report. Directors of Adult Social Services are reminded of the need to work in partnership with NHS colleagues when reviewing and reporting progress on implementation of the Ombudsmen’s recommendations. SHAs are asked to report on progress by March 2010.