Care Minister faces questions on mistreatment of people in inpatient hospitals

Health and Social Care Committee Inquiry: Treatment of autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities

Tuesday 27 April, 10.00am

Minister Helen Whately will face questions from MPs on the prolonged detention of autistic people and people with learning disabilities in inpatient hospitals as well as the use of physical restraint. The Health and Social Care Committee has been investigating the lack of progress on commitments made by the Government, following several abuse scandals, to move these individuals from inpatient units back into the community. The final session of this inquiry will raise with the Minister poor experiences of inpatient care, including ongoing concerns about the unnecessary use of restraint, segregation and seclusion for autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities. Claire Murdoch, Mental Health Director at NHS England will also be questioned.

MPs will consider the impact of the Government’s proposed plans to reform the Mental Health Act, which is used to detain autistic people and people with learning disabilities.

Witnesses from 10.00:

• Dr Sara Ryan, an individual with lived experience and senior researcher on autism at the University of Oxford

Panel 2 at approx. 10.30:

• Helen Whately MP, Minister of State for Social Care, Department of Health and Social Care
• Claire Murdoch, National Mental Health Director, NHS England
• Dr Roger Banks, National Clinical Director for Learning Disabilities and Autism, NHS England

Further information:

- On 13^th April the Committee heard from experts in the area of this inquiry - Sir Norman Lamb, Baroness Sheila Hollins, Ian Birrell and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Link to transcript and recording.

- On 5^th February this inquiry heard from campaigners and disability rights groups on the long-standing issues around the use of restraint, sectioning orders and seclusion. Link to transcript and recording.