I wrote to the local MP a while ago and received this reply regarding my daughters long term inpatient stay on a PICU unit. ……
I am sorry to hear about the difficulties both you and your daughter have faced. Autism is a complex condition which affects many people in very different ways, and it is important that people with Autism get the care that suits their needs best. As I am not familiar with the specifics of your daughter’s condition or a medical professional I can not comment on your daughter’s individual case however I can highlight to you the efforts the Government is taking to improve care for people with autism.
Two independent reports have been commissioned by the Government, to look at care practices for people with autistic people as well as people with learning disabilities, specifically to address and reduce the use of restrictive practice in care. The Government has carefully considered the recommendations made in the report and is accepting the vast majority of them, including developing a pilot for a Senior Intervenor role, which will be focused on reducing the length of time people with a learning disability or autistic people remain unnecessarily in inpatient care in segregation and working with the Royal College of Psychiatrists to define good practice with respect to admission and discharge protocols. The Government is also supporting the continuation of an independent review process which provides necessary scrutiny in the care and treatment of people who are subject to segregation. The reviews, chaired by independent experts, are aimed at developing bespoke recommendations, offering advice on implementing person-centred care plans and, where appropriate, moving the individual to less restrictive settings.
The Government’s Autism Strategy is also being implemented to help to improve the lives of children and adults with autism. This strategy aims to: tackle the barriers autistic people face so they can live independent and fulfilling lives; ensure faster diagnosis and better access to health and social care for autistic people of all ages; and support better education tailored to the needs of autistic children and young people. This strategy has been backed by £75 million in its first year alone, £40 million of which is through the NHS Long Term Plan to improve capacity in crisis services and support those with complex needs in inpatient care.
If you like I can contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on your behalf to register your complaint with the care your daughter has received. Please let me know if you would like me to do this.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
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