The House of Lords Library has published a briefing paper
containing a selection of material relevant for the debate on
February 10 on training on learning disability and autism for all
health and social care staff in England.
In early 2019, the Government held a public consultation on the
potential introduction of mandatory training on learning
disabilities and autism for health and social care staff.
The review cited concerns about health inequalities and what it
described as a disproportionate number of potentially avoidable
deaths of people with a learning disability, underpinned by
findings from the Government’s Learning Disability Mortality
Review programme.
The Government also specifically referenced the case of Oliver
McGowan, a teenager with autism who died in Bristol’s Southmead
Hospital in 2016 after being given the anti-psychotic
medication olanzapine when being treated for a seizure.
Among the measures announced as part of the Government’s
response to the consultation in November 2019 was a commitment
to pursue the introduction of mandatory training on learning
disabilities and autism for health and social care staff in
England. Trials will begin in health and social care settings
by April 2020, and report by March 2021, after which the wider
roll-out of training is expected for all staff.
In a response to a parliamentary question in December 2019,
Health Minister also suggested
additional proposals on amending the Mental Health Act 1983 to
improve treatment for those with autism and learning
disabilities would be forthcoming in a white paper in early
2020.
has introduced a private
member’s bill in the current parliamentary session to provide
for training on learning disability and autism for all health
and social care staff in England and for the Government to
publish a code of practice for specialist training on learning
disability and autism.
In remarks during a debate in the House on the Queen’s Speech
in January 2020, Lady Hollins described her bill as a “precaution” which
may provide a useful vehicle to progress the Government’s aim
for improving the safety of this patient group.
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