ABSTRACT
Background
Our research reviewed outcomes for autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities against Transforming Care objectives in a secure Provider Collaborative and compared these to the mental health cohort to further examine inequalities.
Methods
Data routinely collected by the Provider Collaborative were used to explore the number of individuals in secure care, lengths of stay and whether admissions were within the Provider Collaborative network. The data were grouped by diagnosis and compared both within and across cohorts.
Findings
The number of individuals in secure care reduced due to a reduction in the number of individuals with learning disabilities without autism. Conversely, the number of autistic individuals increased. Lengths of stay were longer for individuals with learning disabilities. A greater proportion of autistic individuals and individuals with learning disabilities were placed in independent sector hospitals. Out-of-network placements were reduced across all cohorts.
Conclusions
A reduction in the number of admissions (learning disabilities only) and fewer placements outside of the network area were noted. Length of stay for autistic individuals without learning disabilities was comparable to the mental health cohort.