This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
New measures to improve care for people with autism
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has announced new measures to improve care for people with autism and learning disabilities.
The Department of Health and Social Care will fund specialist, independent advocates who will: work with families; join up services; and work to move people to the least restrictive care and then out into the community. This is part of wider plans to ensure the care of every patient in segregation or long-term seclusion is reviewed as part of plans to improve the model of care for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
With 2,245 patients currently in mental health inpatient settings in England, the government has committed to halving this number by 2024. The commitments build on proposals announced earlier this year, which will see all health and care staff undertake mandatory training on learning disability and autism to ensure that the care offered is high quality, sensitive and compassionate.
Hancock said: “I have been deeply moved and appalled by the distressing stories of some autistic people and people with learning disabilities spending years detained in mental health units. These vulnerable people are too often left alone, away from their families, friends and communities.
“At its best, the health and care system provides excellent support to people, backed by a dedicated workforce. But a small proportion of some of the most vulnerable in society are being failed by a broken system that doesn’t work for them.
“I commissioned the Care Quality Commission to review the use of segregation in health and care settings to tackle this issue head on. Today I have accepted their recommendations in full. I hope this is a turning point so everyone receives the care they need. I will not let these people down – they deserve better.”
The plans have been announced ahead of the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s interim report into the use of restraint, segregation and prolonged seclusion in health and care settings.
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