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
4 results
Clear
6 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - The treatment of au…
The Trieste model of care—characterised by simplified and quicker admissions to and discharges from inpatient...
The Trieste model of care—characterised by simplified and quicker admissions to and discharges from inpatient facilities; limited number of individuals in inpatient facilities for lengthy durations; and emphasis on well-resourced community support—presents a clear and better alternative to supporting autistic … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees in principle with the recommendation for less restrictive care, stating it is already taking steps to ensure robust reporting of restrictive practices and emphasising therapeutic inpatient care. It highlights existing legislation like the Use of Force Act and notes CQC is improving its monitoring of restraint.
Department of Health and Social Care
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8 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - The treatment of au…
In pursuing that policy, we recommend that by the end of 2021 the Department and...
In pursuing that policy, we recommend that by the end of 2021 the Department and NHS England & Improvement: i) introduce weekly formal reviews of the suitability of admission for all autistic people and people with learning disabilities who have … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts some parts of the recommendation, agreeing to regular checks (while noting existing reviews), that people should not be in hospital due to lack of community provision, and to remove the definition of autism as a mental health illness in forthcoming legislation.
Department of Health and Social Care
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9 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - The treatment of au…
Furthermore, we recommend that autistic people and people with learning disabilities should never be admitted...
Furthermore, we recommend that autistic people and people with learning disabilities should never be admitted to an inpatient facilities that has received an “inadequate” rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The Department for Health & Social Care must bring … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees in part, stating the NHS will take action to avoid admissions to CQC-rated "inadequate" facilities but notes rare exceptions may occur, and commits to ensuring patient and family involvement in such decisions.
Department of Health and Social Care
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14 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - The treatment of au…
We recommend that staff involved in the treatment of autistic people and people with disabilities...
We recommend that staff involved in the treatment of autistic people and people with disabilities in inpatient settings receive training in care planning which has a clear and unhindered focus on: i) understanding that autistic people and people with learning … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the need for better staff training, stating they are starting new programmes, but indicates that not all staff will complete the training by the recommended April 2023 deadline.
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