Long-term segregation and seclusion for people with an intellectual disability and/or autism in hospitals: critique of the current state of affairs
Tromans, Samuel de Villiers, Jana Alexander, Regi Wallace, Stuart Gangadharan, Satheesh
Tromans, Samuel
de Villiers, Jana
Alexander, Regi
Wallace, Stuart
Gangadharan, Satheesh
Citations
Altmetric:
Affiliation
University of Leicester; Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust; Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; The State Hospital, Lanark, UK; Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust; Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust; Legal Directorate, St Andrew's Healthcare, Nottingham; Central and Northwest London NHS Foundation Trust; Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Carer, Coventry, UK
Other Contributors
Publication date
2024-12
Subject
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
In November 2023, the Department of Health and Social Care published guidance, entitled 'Baroness Hollins' Final Report: My Heart Breaks - Solitary Confinement in Hospital Has no Therapeutic Benefit for People with a Learning Disability and Autistic People'. The report's commendable analysis of the problems and identification of the areas where practice should be improved is unfortunately not matched by many of its recommendations, which appear to be contrary to evidence-based approaches. The concerns are wide-ranging, from the use of the term 'solitary confinement' for current long-term segregation (LTS) and seclusion, to presumption that all LTS and seclusion is bad, to holding clinicians (mainly psychiatrists) responsible for events beyond their locus of control. Importantly, there is a no guidance on how to practically deliver the recommendations in an evidence-based manner. This Feature critically appraises the report, to provide a comprehensive summary outlining potential positive impacts, identifying specific concerns and reflecting on best practice going forward.
Citation
Tromans SJ, Sawhney I, Odiyoor M, de Villiers J, McCarthy J, Boer H, Alexander R, Courtenay K, Wallace S, Gangadharan S, Roy A, Blake A, Purandare K, Iyer A, Laugharne R, Weisner V, Shankar R. Long-term segregation and seclusion for people with an intellectual disability and/or autism in hospitals: critique of the current state of affairs. Br J Psychiatry. 2024 Dec 4:1-8. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2024.211. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39629607.
Type
Article