Moves to cut the number of people with autism and learning disabilities in long-stay hospitals have ended in “abject failure”.
That’s the view of Barbara Keeley, shadow minister for social care.
Barbara Keeley says Transforming Care has been an “abject failure”
Well below target
Keeley criticised the government’s Transforming Care initiative after figures showed the numbers discharged were well below a target set four years ago, when the programme started.
Up to 2,885 people with autism and learning disabilities were in mental health hospitals at that time.
The government aimed to close at least 35 per cent of long-stay hospital beds by March this year.
But figures published by NHS Digital show that patient numbers have reduced by just over 20 per cent. They now stand at 2,260.
Hospitals ‘over-medicate and restrain’
Families fear that the hospitals routinely over-medicate and restrain their loved ones.
Keeley said: “It is clear that the Transforming Care programme has been an abject failure.”
Isabelle Garnett campaigned with husband Robin to get their 18-year-old son Matthew out of specialist mental health hospital St Andrew’s Healthcare, in Northampton. Matthew has severe autism and ADHD.
Garnett, 50, from London, said those held in secure units are vulnerable to “neglect and abuse and even deaths”.
NHS reviewing up to 40 deaths
Care minister Caroline Dinenage told the House of Commons last November that the NHS England is reviewing the circumstances of up to 40 deaths in the units. They would check there was nothing untoward.
Tim Nicholls, head of policy at the National Autistic Society, said Transforming Care had “let down” autistic people.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the 35 per cent target has now been extended to March of next year.
Further, the Department said the recent NHS long-term plan makes it clear that numbers in mental health hospitals should be halved by 2024.
Meanwhile, the Care Quality Commission is carrying out an “in-depth review” of seclusion and restraint.
Related:
- Transforming Care programme ‘failed’
- NHS watchdog demands community care
- New NHS guidelines shift care provision
- Call for radical change in care
- 100 restrained face-down in a month
- Huge surge in hospitals using restraint
- Centre pins patients down 600 times
Published: 26 April 2019
