Long-term Segregation in Hospital: Baroness Hollins’ Report

Today we have published our response to Baroness Hollins’ final report as chair of the Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Review (IC(E)TR) Oversight Panel. This follows the completion of the second phase of the IC(E)TR programme, which Baroness Hollins has overseen, in order to reduce the use of long-term segregation for people with a learning disability and autistic people. Baroness Hollins’ final report includes recommendations for Government. A copy of both the report and our response will be deposited in in the Libraries of both Houses.

We warmly welcome Baroness Hollins’ report and the work of the oversight panel. The report and the examples of poor care reported are sobering. I continue to be deeply concerned by the examples of unacceptable treatment of people with a learning disability and autistic people in long-term segregation in hospital. The use of long-term segregation must be significantly and urgently reduced. Where it is used, it should only ever be in a way that respects human rights, and all treatment plans should aim to end long-term segregation.

The recommendations made in the report are critical in informing our work to reduce the use of long-term segregation for people with a learning disability and autistic people. They are also aligned with our wider work to reduce the numbers of people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals, with more people living ordinary lives in the community.

In our response, we highlight some of the work being undertaken now to reduce the use of long-term segregation in people with a learning disability and autistic people. In particular, I am pleased to be able to confirm that in the very near term IC(E)TRs will continue, now led by CQC, to preserve regulatory oversight and understanding of long-term segregation for people with a learning disability and autistic people and crucially to support people to less restrictive settings and discharge to the community. We will also seek changes to the CQC regulations (subject to parliamentary approval) to improve reporting and notifications by providers to CQC on use of restrictive practices. Once in place, this will provide a better flow of information, supporting CQC to convene an IC(E)TR as soon as possible where someone is moved into LTS to scrutinise the care provided and protect rights.

We will also use Baroness Hollins’ recommendations to inform our longer term work. For example, using the report and accompanying framework code of practice to inform updates to the “Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice” when it is next reviewed. Work is ongoing on a number of recommendations as outlined in the report.

I am extremely grateful to Baroness Hollins and the oversight panel for their expertise and commitment to this work over a number of years. Their report will play a critical role in tackling the unacceptably high levels of long-term segregation and in supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people to receive high quality care that is right for them. It is essential that Baroness Hollins’ report and recommendations drive that change.

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