NHS Confederation - CQC report highlights need for support and investment in learning disability services

22 Oct 2020 10:22 AM

Sean Duggan, chief executive of the Mental Health Network, which is part of the NHS Confederation, responded to the CQC’s report Out of sight – who cares?

“We welcome this review into the restraint and seclusion of people with a learning disability and/or autism, who are some of the most vulnerable people in society. 

“While this report makes for difficult reading, it does highlight examples of the good care we should be aiming for in both community and hospital settings, alongside the many areas that need to improve.

“High quality, community-based services that allow people to live as independently as possible require joint working from providers, commissioners, local authorities, housing and voluntary sectors.

“Learning disability services have been long underfunded and the lack of a long-term sustainable social care settlement has impacted on the system’s ability to implement the Transforming Care programme, which aims to move people with a learning disability and/or autism out of hospital into the community.

“Learning disability services see some of the highest vacancies rates across the system, and this report shows that staff with the right skills and values are vital to providing people with the person-centred care they require. While the new bursary for trainee learning disability nurses is welcome, there needs to be a strong focus on building up the workforce.”

CQC demands national system change to prevent future generations of autistic people and/or people with a learning disability from 'falling through the gaps'