National director of learning disability and autism appointed

NHS England has announced the appointment of Tom Cahill as the national director for learning disability and autism.

Cahill, who has been chief executive of Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust since 2009, will join NHS England to build on progress already made in providing people with a learning disability or autism with care in the community, rather than in inpatient settings.

Tom will also lead work set out in the NHS Long Term Plan to drive up standards across the health service and independent sector which provide inpatient care for people with a learning disability and/or autism.

A former mental health nurse, Cahill has worked in the NHS for over 30 years and under his leadership, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.

NHS England and NHS Improvement will be undertaking a review, working with commissioners, of every single inpatient with a learning disability, autism or both in a mental health inpatient care setting to ensure that each person has a clear care and treatment plan and discharge date in place. If these are not in place, the review will explore why not.

Claire Murdoch, NHS mental health director, said: “The NHS is committed to improving the health of people with a learning disability and I am delighted that Tom has joined us to push forward our plans to provide more care and treatment to people in the community and closer to home.

“As a former mental health nurse with significant leadership experience, Tom has a wealth of skills and knowledge which he will bring to the role to drive up standards across the NHS and independent sector so that all inpatients with a learning disability or autism receive safe and dignified care.”

Cahill said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role of National Learning Disability and Autism Director. I look forward to working with colleagues across health and social care to improve the experiences of people with a learning disability to ensure they receive the care they deserve, either from the NHS or the independent sector, and as part of that I am keen to work closely with families and those who have lived experience of using these services.”