People left in hospital due to lack of social housing and care

Dozens of people with learning disabilities and autism were “locked away” in hospital across West Yorkshire as of September, new figures show.

- by Harriet Sutton

October is Learning Disability Awareness Month, which charities have described as an opportunity to raise awareness around learning disabilities and challenge stigma.

It comes as the Government's new Mental Health Bill, which seeks to improve conditions for people with learning disabilities and autism, is going through final stages in Parliament.

New statistics from NHS England show around 80 people with a learning disability, autism or both were in inpatient services across the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board area at the end of September.

It was an increase from about 70 a year earlier.

And it included 25 people with a learning disability, 45 with autism and 10 with both a learning disability and autism.

NHS England said all figures are rounded to the nearest five.