In February 2023, NHS England launched the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Inpatient Quality Transformation Programme, a national initiative aimed at enhancing the quality and safety of care in mental health, learning disability, and autism in-patient services.
Integrated Care Boards are required to co-produce a 3-year plan to localise and realign mental health, learning disability and autism inpatient services care in line with the Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Inpatient Commissioning Framework.
The goal is to ensure that people who need these services can access timely, high-quality community support, closer to their families and loved ones.
Our plan has been co-produced with patients, families, clinicians, providers, and key stakeholders and builds upon existing best practices to further improve care, focusing on the following three strategic priorities:
- Improve access and flow through inpatient services
- Enhance community services for autistic individuals
- Develop a skilled and competent workforce
The plan is a living document and will be periodically updated to reflect evolving system priorities and service developments.