Select committee: Health and Social Care Committee

Conclusion 13

Fifth Report - The treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities Published 13 Jul 2021 Paragraph 90 Addressed to Department of Health and Social Care

Health and Social Care Committee Treatment of autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗

Conclusion (the committee's words)

We have significant concerns about the quality of training and support provided to staff working in inpatient facilities and the negative consequences this can have on the treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities in inpatient facilities. While we welcome the pilot of the ‘Oliver McGowan’ training, it is clear that, in some cases, there is a lack of understanding amongst staff working in The treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities 41 inpatient settings that autistic people and people with learning disabilities do not need to be “cured” and instead need to be consistently put at the centre of their care. Ultimately, a system based on incarceration, restraint and seclusion will create an environment which dehumanises both staff and inpatients. But, if in limited circumstances, autistic people and people with learning disabilities are to be held as inpatients, it is essential for staff to be properly trained so that autistic people and people with learning disabilities receive adequate support from people who understand their condition.

From: Health and Social Care Committee, Fifth Report - The treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities (HC 21), paragraph 90, 13 July 2021

Government response

The government responded to the whole report on 27 July 2022 (deadline 13 September 2021).

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government's response welcomes the Committee's report and sets out its position recommendation by recommendation, accepting some in full, some "in principle" or "in part", and not accepting others, alongside the Building the Right Support action plan and the draft Mental Health Bill.

On costs, it accepts the recommendation for a complete assessment "in principle" while noting "the practical challenges in providing a complete assessment of costs"; a task and finish group is to develop "targeted solutions" on funding and financial oversight.
It does not accept a ban on long-term admissions or the Trieste model: "we do not intend to implement the Trieste model of care" and does not agree admissions "should be banned altogether", pointing to Mental Health Act reforms.
On weekly reviews and compensation, it accepts recommendation 4 "in part": it does "not intend to implement weekly formal reviews" or to introduce compensation under the Mental Health Act, but proposes additional review points and Tribunal referrals.
On closing Assessment and Treatment Units, it accepts "in principle" that care must be person-centred but does "not accept" closing all mental health inpatient units within two years, and expects to keep some capacity, including forensic.

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