Written statement (Wales) on Learning Disability Policy, priorities, achievements and plans - Jan 20

Sarah Murphy, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing: I am pleased to provide Members with an update about the work the Welsh Government is undertaking to improve services and support for people with learning disabilities. 

We are committed to improving – and transforming specialist inpatient services – in line with the Stolen Lives Wales: Homes Not Hospitals review of community and inpatient provision. 

The report from the Learning Disability Ministerial Advisory Group's (LDMAG) Stolen Lives Task and Finish Group will be published today.

I am grateful to LDMAG for convening a dedicated subgroup to engage directly with members of the Stolen Lives Campaign. This has enabled people with lived experience—and their families—to help shape the recommendations submitted and ensuring that lived experience informs future service change.

Many of the report's recommendations align closely with work already underway or being developed. Others have significantly strengthened our understanding of the systemic challenges and barriers that must be addressed.

The report makes a series of recommendations aimed at reducing avoidable admissions from the community and supporting those currently in hospital to return to live in their local communities as quickly as possible. Many recommendations call for major service reform and will require detailed preparatory work, resources and investment. I will continue to rely on LDMAG's expert advice over the coming months as we work through these issues.

There are an estimated 60,000 adults with a learning disability in Wales – a population which experiences significant inequalities and barriers to everyday life. Addressing these inequalities requires sustained investment, attention and leadership.

The Learning Disability Strategic Action Plan 2022-26 has raised the profile of learning disability needs and driven tangible progress. Key achievements this term include:

• Improved data and transparency: The introduction of quarterly learning disability inpatient census data. The first published data is expected from the April 2026 census.
• The first national metrics for learning disability health services, with consistent targets for annual health checks, inpatient care and pathway delay reporting.
• A reduction in inpatient stays and delays:
  • In February 2022, there were 147 people with a learning disability in hospital, in October this had fallen to 131
  • There has been a two-and-a-half year reduction in average length of stay
  • A 33% reduction in the number of people experiencing delays leaving hospital and a 26% reduction in the length of those delays.
• More than 80,000 NHS staff have completed the Paul Ridd Foundation Level Learning Disability Awareness training since April 2022. The programme has now expanded to social care and an enhanced tier has been launched for staff with more intensive contact.
• Learning disability annual health checks were incorporated into the GP contract from April 2025, supported by improved data capture and monitoring. We are now focused on increasing uptake and improving quality.
• The 2012-22 learning disability mortality report highlighted people with learning disabilities die on average 20 years earlier than the general population and it identified avoidable causes requiring urgent action.
• Engagement with partners to adapt the Reducing Restrictive Practice Framework ahead of an all-Wales rollout in 2026-27.

We have also reviewed inpatient environments and facilities and undertaken a thematic review of inpatient service types. These have provided a comprehensive picture of current provision and the barriers preventing people returning to community settings. This work will inform the changes which are now needed in both community and inpatient services.

For the remainder of this term, we will continue to focus on improving people's experiences of discharge from hospital, including reducing delays in discharge. We will continue to refine and embed the key data and information helping to drive forward system improvement and we will publish the first integrated quality statement for people with a learning disability.

I am clear that action to improve outcomes for people with a learning disability must continue to be prioritised. 

I am therefore supporting a three‑year integrated learning disability service transformation programme across health, social care and housing, from April 2026 to March 2029. The LDMAG has been advising us on the priorities for action and Regional Partnership Boards will play a critical role in bringing health, social care, housing and third sector partners together to support local delivery of integrated community care for people with a learning disability.

Wales has a long and proud history of improving the lives of people with learning disabilities. This government remains firmly committed to continuing that journey, ensuring everyone can access the care and support they need, in the place that best meets their needs.