Treatment of autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities

Health and Social Care Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 3 Feb 2021 Closed: 1 Aug 2022 Parliament page
Limited progress in improving the way autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities are treated is to be examined by the Health and Social Care Committee. The short inquiry will hold the first of two evidence sessions next week with particular focus on the use of restraint and “sectioning”. It … Read more
14 Recommendations
6 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
3 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
27 Jul
2022
Report published
26 Oct
2021
Correspondence
13 Jul
2021
Report published
22 Jun
2021
Correspondence
25 May
2021
Correspondence
27 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
13 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
9 Feb
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
27 Apr 2021
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Bengi O’Reilly, an individual with lived experience Claire Murdoch · NHS England Dr Sara Ryan, an individual with lived experience Fiona Walshe · Department of Health and Social Care Helen Whately MP · Department of Health and Social Care Roger Banks · NHS England
13 Apr 2021
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Baroness Sheila Hollins · Beyond Words Dr Ian Davidson · NHS and Royal College of Psychiatrists Dr Ken Courteney · Royal College of Psychiatrists Intellectual Disability Faculty Dr Theresa Joyce · Care Quality Commission Ian Birrell, Journalist Professor Philip Fennell · Cardiff University Sir Norman Lamb, former Minister at the Department of Health
9 Feb 2021
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Alexis Quinn, autism activist, author and Restraint Reduction Network Manager Dan Scorer · Mencap Ivan Olbrechts · Learning Disability England Julie Newcombe · Rightful Lives Vivien Cooper · Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - The treatment of autistic people and people with … HC 21 13 Jul 2021 20 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - The treatment of au…
We also recommend that the Department then needs to redesign the financial incentives in the...
We also recommend that the Department then needs to redesign the financial incentives in the healthcare system so that local authorities do not seek to ‘offload’ autistic people and people with learning disabilities onto the NHS or place these individuals … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, agreeing to redesign incentives by working to change the law to make local authorities and health services responsible for community support, improve housing, and ensure high-quality local support options.
Department of Health and Social Care
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10 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - The treatment of au…
We welcome the Government’s announcement that it will bring into force the Mental Health Units...
We welcome the Government’s announcement that it will bring into force the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018 in November 2021. This will go some way to reducing the use of restricted practices in inpatient facilities. However, we … Read more
Government Response
The government states it already publishes monthly information on the use of force, exceeding the recommendation for twice-yearly publication, and notes that individuals and families should be involved in understanding incidents of force.
Department of Health and Social Care
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13 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - The treatment of au…
We have significant concerns about the quality of training and support provided to staff working...
We have significant concerns about the quality of training and support provided to staff working in inpatient facilities and the negative consequences this can have on the treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities in inpatient facilities. While … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the importance of proper staff training and states they are starting new training programmes for health and care staff, including better training for those working in mental health hospitals.
Department of Health and Social Care
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15 Conclusion Accepted
Fifth Report - The treatment of au…
We conclude that the benefits of early diagnosis for conditions like autism are well- understood...
We conclude that the benefits of early diagnosis for conditions like autism are well- understood and late diagnosis presents a particular risk that autistic people will end up with mental illnesses such as anxiety and/or depression.
Government Response
The government agrees with the conclusion, stating it is already working to improve autism diagnosis by adhering to NICE guidelines for waiting times and investing money in autism checks.
Department of Health and Social Care
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16 Recommendation Accepted
Fifth Report - The treatment of au…
We recommend that the Government analyses the speed at which autism is diagnosed especially in...
We recommend that the Government analyses the speed at which autism is diagnosed especially in children and young people, and puts in place a strategy to increase early diagnosis with measurable outcomes by the end of the financial year 2021–22. … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation but states it is already working on increasing early autism diagnosis by adhering to NICE guidelines for waiting times and investing in autism checks.
Department of Health and Social Care
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Government Response AI assessment · 20 of 14 classified
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 4
Acknowledged 1
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 6
Total 14 recs + 6 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
26 Oct 2021 Correspondence with the Minister of State for Care and Mental Health on Treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities dated 20.09.21 and 20.10.21
Parliament page
22 Jun 2021 To committee Letter from the National Mental Health Director on assuring transformation data re patients in mental health inpatient settings by CQC rating
Parliament page
25 May 2021 To committee Letter from NHS England and NHS Improvement on the Committee's inquiry into Treament of autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities
Parliament page