Tuesday
13 April, 09.30am
MPs will question former health Minister , Baroness
Sheila Hollins and journalist Ian Birrell, in a session focused
on how to improve the treatment
of autistic people and individuals with learning
disabilities. The problems with inpatient care for these
groups will be raised with senior clinicians and experts,
following a series of abuse scandals and ongoing concerns around
prolonged detention and restrictive practices in inpatient units.
The Committee will explore the example of Trieste in Italy where
the vast majority of care is provided in the community rather
than in inpatient units, hearing from the Royal College of
Psychiatrists and journalist Ian Birrell, who reported on and
uncovered abuse in hospitals.
The session will investigate why progress has been slow in
reducing the number of autistic people and people with learning
disabilities in inpatient care in favour of support in the
community, an aim prioritised by Sir Norman since his time in
government.
Witnesses at 09.30:
- Ian Birrell, journalist and campaigner
- Dr , Autism Lead,
NHS and Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Dr Ken Courteney, Chair, Royal College of Psychiatrists
Intellectual Disability Faculty
At approx. 10.00:
-
, former Minister at the Department of Health
- Baroness Sheila Hollins, Chair of an independent panel
established by the Government to assess long-term segregation,
former President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and
founder of Beyond Words
- Dr Theresa Joyce, Clinical Psychologist and former National
Professional Advisor on Learning Disabilities at the Care Quality
Commission
- Professor Philip Fennell, Emeritus Professor of Law and
Politics, Cardiff University
