Mandatory learning disability training for NHS staff to include autism

Proposals for all NHS staff to have mandatory learning disability training will now also include autism, according to a commitment made by care minister, Caroline Dinenage, at a Parliament debate.

The debate was triggered by a petition started by Paula McGowan, whose 18-year-old son Oliver died after a reaction to anti-psychotic drugs.

Oliver, who died at Southmead Hospital in Bristol in 2016, had a mild learning disability and high functioning autism. He died after being administered anti-psychotic medication, despite he and his family telling staff not to give him the drugs due to reactions in the past and having never been diagnosed with a mental health condition.

On 30 October a scan found he had neuroleptic malignant syndrome, from a reaction to the antipsychotic drugs. He had surgery in an attempt to alleviate swelling in his brain but he continued to deteriorate and the family agreed to life support being withdrawn.

His mother Paula McGowan, said: “I believe his death could have been prevented if his doctors and nurses had received mandatory training. He had autism and a mild learning disability, and they weren't trained to understand how to make reasonable adjustments for him.”

In the debate in Parliament, care minister, Caroline Dinenage, committed to including autism in the consultation for mandatory training for healthcare staff.

'It would be a missed opportunity'

She said: “It would be a missed opportunity if we did not consider in our consultation the training requirements of staff to better support autistic people as well those with learning disabilities.”

The consultation will begin in the New Year and the government will publish its final plans for the training by the summer, followed by regulations which could be introduced by the end of 2019.

Several MPs from different parties spoke in the debate. Daniel Zeichner MP (Labour), who introduced the debate, spoke about some of the challenges many autistic people have in accessing care. He said: “Everyone working in the NHS will see autistic and learning-disabled people, even if unaware of it.

"All frontline staff, therefore, from GP receptionists to consultants in accident and emergency, should receive some evidence-led training about autism.”

Hannah Bardell MP (SNP) said that Oliver’s death must “not be in vain” and added: “We all know that NHS staff, in whatever part of the UK, do their very best, but there have been failings and the lessons must be learned.”

The National Autistic Society backed Paula McGowan’s campaign. It points to statistics from Public Health England (PHE) which show just 17 per cent of areas report having an autism training plan for all health and care staff, and 10 per cent have no plan at all.

Over 50,000 people signed the petition calling for mandatory training

Jane Harris, director of external affairs at the National Autistic Society called it an “important commitment from the Minister” and said it has “the potential to improve the health and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of autistic people”.

She added: “This is a direct result of Paula McGowan’s tireless campaigning, in memory of her son Oliver, including her petition which gained over 50,000 signatures. We are proud to support Paula’s campaign and will continue to work with her to make sure the government honours its commitment.

“Many autistic people continue to have much worse physical and mental health than the general public – and may even be at greater risk of dying early. Making sure that all healthcare staff understand autism, and the often simple changes that can help autistic people, is an important step to tackling this unacceptable health inequality – and creating a society that works for autistic people.”