Long-term hospital stays for people with autism and learning disabilities are a “national scandal” that destroys lives.
That’s the view of Labour MP Barbara Keeley, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on disability.
Nicholas Thornton’s mobility and speech have been damaged by more than a decade spent in inappropriate care settings
The MP has called on the UK Government to take action over the lengthy hospital stays. She said they are “destroying the lives of so many autistic people and people with learning disabilities”, as well as their families.
More than a decade of inappropriate care
Her comments came after it emerged that Nicholas Thornton, 28, lost the ability to walk and speak. This followed him being held in inappropriate care and hospital settings for more than a decade.
Thornton, who has autism and a learning disability, has been moved from one placement to another since he was first sectioned at 16.
Reports in The Independent suggest he is now confined to a room alone at Rochford Hospital, in Essex.
His story emerged following a report by Baroness Sheila Hollins earlier this month. Her report suggests that around 115 people with autism and learning disabilities are being held in solitary confinement.
Some have reportedly been held for up to 20 years.
Limited progress on reducing numbers
Baroness Hollins said there has been limited progress on efforts to reduce the number held in solitary confinement. This was because when one person is discharged another one replaces them in segregation.
She said solitary confinement has no “therapeutic benefit” and “should be severely curtailed as soon as possible”.
At the end of October this year, there were 2,035 people with autism and learning disabilities being held in long-stay hospitals.
Successive governments have consistently missed targets to reduce the number. However, the figure has fallen by just under 30 per cent from 2,885 in March 2015.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said it was “deeply concerned” about examples of “unacceptable treatment”. It was committed to ensuring people with learning disabilities and autism “live fulfilling lives in their community”.
Related:
- MPs back ban on long-term hospitals
- Long-stay hospitals ‘must close’
- Dismay at inaction over assessment units
- Nearly 50 dead in long-stay hospitals
- Scandal of decade-long hospital stays
- ‘Abject failure’ of hospital plan
- Huge surge in hospitals using restraint
- Social workers aim to cut hospital stays
- Still stuck in mental health hospitals
- Spotlight on hospital care
- Families fight detention scandal
Published: 30 November 2023
