Fifth Report - The treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities

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 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 in inpatient facilities. The Department must instead offer a credible alternative and provide additional support so that autistic people and people with learning disabilities can live independent and fulfilled lives in the community. Show less

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 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 remain concerned that the use of restrictive practices remains commonplace in many inpatient facilities and therefore still presents a long-term risk to autistic people and people with learning disabilities. We recommend that in addition to the requirement of the Mental Health Units (Use of Force Act) two further reforms are introduced: i) use of restraint on individuals in inpatient facilities is published twice every calendar year; and ii) all providers are required to meet with both families and commissioners within a month of each incidence of restraint, whether chemical or physical, to explain why it happened and what measures are being taken to prevent a reoccurrence. Show less

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 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 we welcome the pilot of the ‘Oliver McGowan’ training, it is clear that, in some cases, there is a lack of understanding amongst staff working in The treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities 41 inpatient settings that autistic people and people with learning disabilities do not need to be “cured” and instead need to be consistently put at the centre of their care. Ultimately, a system based on incarceration, restraint and seclusion will create an environment which dehumanises both staff and inpatients. But, if in limited circumstances, autistic people and people with learning disabilities are to be held as inpatients, it is essential for staff to be properly trained so that autistic people and people with learning disabilities receive adequate support from people who understand their condition. Show less

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.

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 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. (Paragraph 94) Wellbeing and accountability Show less