2023-01-20 16:28:28
Hft responds to the Draft Mental Health Bill
Kirsty Matthews, CEO of national learning disability charity Hft, has responded to the announcement of the draft Mental Health Bill as follows:
“With over 2000 learning disabled people still trapped in inpatient units (Source: Learning Disability Services Monthly Statistics, AT: October 2022), we welcome the Joint Committee report on the Draft Mental Health Bill.
“Having a learning disability and/or autism is not the same as a mental health condition yet, in spite of this, people with a learning disability and/or autism can be admitted to in-patient units under the current Mental Health Act. On average their stay is five long years, with distressing consequences for the individual and their family.
“If the Government is truly committed to ‘transforming care’ as they promised more than a decade ago, they must deliver a social care system which ensures everyone with a learning disability and/or autism has their support needs met and can live where and how they want to. This would play a vital part in drastically reducing any inappropriate admissions to in-patient units in the first place.
“We therefore support the Committee’s recommendation to strengthen community care provisions in the Bill, so everyone with a learning disability can move, and stay, out of inpatient settings and instead receive the right support to live in a home they choose. This includes placing increased responsibility on Integrated Care Boards and Local Authorities to ensure the adequate supply of community services for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
“People with a learning disability deserve to live without fear of being inappropriately detained and to have their rights protected. It is vital that the draft legislation only furthers these aims, and does not jeopardise them.
“We sincerely hope the Committee’s recommendations are taken on board to strengthen the Draft Mental Health Bill. The end to this shocking practice cannot come soon enough.”
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
–
For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
