Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

In-patient Units: People with Learning Disabilities

Tuesday 23 January 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has made progress towards reducing the number of people with learning disabilities in in-patient units by 58% since 2015.
  • National commissioning guidance was published in November to address long-term stays of people with learning disabilities in in-patient units.
  • A review is underway to address the impact of staff mistreatment on residents in in-patient units following the trial at Whorlton Hall.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lisa Cameron SNP
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the progress made on reducing the number of individuals with a learning disability in in-patient units, referencing a target set by the government.

Question

What recent progress her Department has made on reducing the number of people with a learning disability in in-patient units?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

We have made progress against our target to reduce learning disability and autism in-patient numbers in England by 50% since 2015. For people with a learning disability without an autism diagnosis, there has been a 58% net reduction; for people with a learning disability who are autistic, the net reduction is 35%.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Lisa Cameron SNP
Mental Health
Context

The MP, as chair of the all-party parliamentary group for disability, has been hearing concerns from organisations such as Mencap about long-term detentions. She seeks reassurance that these issues are being addressed.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for that comprehensive answer. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group for disability, I have been hearing from organisations such as Mencap that remain concerned that people with learning difficulties are disproportionately detained for five to 10 years and for over 10 years. Will she reassure those organisations that the “Building the right support” action plan will continue to progress the great work that is being done?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

I thank my hon. Friend for her interest and, of course, her many years working as a clinical psychologist. She brings that experience to the Chamber. National commissioning guidance to integrated care boards was published in November. It sets out that a mental health in-patient stay for a person with a learning disability should be for the minimum time possible, for assessment and/or treatment which can only be provided in hospital. In overseeing implementation of the action plan going forwards, the “Building the right support” delivery board will maintain focus on quality of care and on reducing long stays.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Barbara Keeley Lab
Social Care Mental Health
Context

The MP is concerned about the conditions of in-patient units like Whorlton Hall where staff were found guilty of assaulting residents. The judge described it as an unpredictable and frightening place to live.

Question

It is vital for the Government to do more to move autistic people and people with learning disabilities out of in-patient units and back to their communities. Recently, in the trial of staff at Whorlton Hall, we saw staff who were cruel and uncaring. Delivering sentences, the judge said that Whorlton Hall was an unpredictable and frightening place to live. Is it not time for the Government to close down those units and move the majority of people into the community?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

I thank the hon. Lady for raising that point. We were all dismayed and upset to see the experiences of residents in those units, and we saw the correct criminal outcomes—if I am allowed to say that—for those involved in those assaults. A review is going on as to how those issues are affecting the estate as a whole, but we are clear that in-patient stays should happen only when they are strictly necessary. We must be mindful that clinicians will be taking many situations into account, including not just the safety of the patient but the safety of the wider community.

Partly answered

Not addressed: closing down units and moving people to communities

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email