We have been campaigning alongside the National Autistic Society for much-needed reforms to the Mental Health Bill to
protect
Protect means keeping someone or something safe.
people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
and/or
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
from being held in mental health units.
Jackie O’Sullivan, acting chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap, said:
“The government have missed a huge opportunity to introduce vital Mental Health Act reforms to help end the inappropriate detention of people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals.
“This is a devastating blow to thousands of people with a learning disability and autistic people, their families and campaigners.
“In their 2019 manifesto, the government pledged to “make it easier for people with a learning disability and autistic people to be discharged from hospital and improve how they are treated in law.” But we are still waiting for this crucial reform to happen.
"Today’s speech was a chance for the government to create a lasting legacy but instead, it has left thousands of families and their loved ones in limbo."