Government misses target to reduce number of people with a learning disability and autistic people in inpatient units by 50%
NHS Digital statistics confirm that the government has missed its target to reduce the number of people with a learning disability and autistic people detained in inpatient units by 50% - with more than 2000 people still stuck in these units, there need to be concrete actions to achieve meaningful change
Today (18th April 2024), NHS Digital has published its statistics on the number of people with a learning disability and autistic people detained in inpatient units during March 2024.
These figures show that there are still 2045 people with a learning disability and autistic people detained in inpatient units – and confirm that the government has failed to meet its own target of reducing the number of people in these units by 50%. If things continue at this rate, it will be at least another 6 years before the target – the latest in a series of targets, all of which have been missed – is achieved. This is unacceptably slow.
It is crucial that we remember that these are not just numbers; these are people. It is more than possible to support people with a learning disability and autistic people to live good lives, in their local communities, near their families and friends – but despite years of calling for change and showing how to achieve the right support, the government have still failed to deliver.
In the past months, the government has stated that there are no intentions to update and strengthen the Building the Right Support Action Plan – a plan which is rapidly going out of date. This target being missed, yet again, should be a wake-up call that their actions are not enough to create the necessary change.
The Government and NHS England must accept that they need to take a different approach and learn from the past decade. They must co-produce solutions with people with lived experience and key stakeholders, and incentivise and invest in community support and services to prevent inappropriate inpatient admission and enable timely and successful discharges.
Find out more about what actions policy makers need to take
Support from the CBF
Resources on our website
The CBF has information available for anyone who has concerns about the issues raised which can be found here:
Family Support Service
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this statement, you can call the Family Support Service on 0300 666 0126
Or email us at support@thecbf.org.uk
We are open at the following times:
Monday – Thursday: 9am – 5pm
Friday: 9am – 3pm
We offer information about challenging behaviour to anyone who provides support to a child, young person or adult with a severe learning disability. We can also signpost you to other specialist organisations and sources of information.
Please note we are a small support service so you may not be able to get support straight away. We will support families with urgent concerns as a priority.
Professionals are also welcome to contact the CBF.