Mum whose autistic son has been held in solitary confinement for three years in desperate plea for help

The mother of an autistic man detained in mental health services for 14 years has told Sky News she fears for her son’s safety because of the “appalling” care provided by the NHS.

Sharon Clarke is calling on Health Secretary Matt Hancock to follow through on promises he made last November to help those held in the most restrictive settings.

Her son Ryan, 31, has spent the last three and a half years in segregation, a form of solitary confinement.

During this period, Ryan has been placed in seclusion: a bare room isolated from others.

His family argue this kind of care is not appropriate for his autism diagnosis, and has significantly worsened his mental health.

His mother wants him moved but is struggling with the system.

Ms Clarke told Sky News: “All the doctors, psychologists agree that he shouldn’t be there.

“They say it is the wrong environment for him and he needs a bespoke package of care in the community and that is what I was hoping for.”

Ms Clarke worries even his basic care needs are not being met.

Ryan had 14 teeth removed and was given dentures which he lost 18 months ago. They have yet to be replaced.

Ms Clarke told Sky News: “He doesn’t look good. I can only guess how he eats. It can’t be easy.”

Last November, Mr Hancock set up an independent panel to oversee a case review for all those in long-term segregation.

The reviews were supposed to help and support people with their discharge, by either setting out a hospital discharge date, or at the very least, explaining how providers are making a plan to move people towards discharge.

Ryan’s review flagged many urgent concerns, including a lack of family involvement and issues with his medication.

It set out several recommendations and provided a deadline for these to be carried out. That deadline has already passed for many of the concerns, and nothing has happened.

Ms Clarke says she wants Ryan moved. “I’d like to see Ryan and people like him get a bespoke package of care in the community where he is supported 24/7 with the right people who do the right job for Ryan.

“And I definitely think Matt Hancock needs to get his act together on sorting this. Definitely. Because it’s not damn fair.”

COVID-19 is making things even more difficult. Family visits are now restricted to weekly Skype calls.

She said: “He is deteriorating, he is getting worse. He self-harms. Recently, since COVID-19, he has started hitting and punching himself in the face and tummy, and that has been since I haven’t been able to see him.

“So I think he will go downhill unless he is moved to a more caring facility.”

Ms Clarke feels let down by the NHS and is disappointed Mr Hancock has failed to deliver the change he promised.

She is also worried nothing will happen to help her son. “They’re just forgotten. They are just non-entities, nobody cares about him.

“I respect people have got to be careful because COVID-19 is predominant and we are in a pandemic but not at the expense that everybody else – the most vulnerable in our society – get thrown on the scrapheap.”

The NHS Trust in charge of Ryan’s care told Sky News they “are unable to comment on individual cases”.

“To support our patients, we work closely with a wide multidisciplinary team including doctors, nurses, psychologists and other experts to ensure that we provide the best possible care and support for that individual.

“The physical health needs of our patients are regularly reviewed and our patients are under the care of an onsite GP and a primary care team.

“The recommendations of all Independent Care and Treatment Reviews are implemented as appropriate and changes required are made in a timely way to address any issues raised.

“In line with NHS England and Public Health national guidelines, we temporarily suspended visiting to protect our patients, staff and their families during COVID-19.

“We have stayed in close contact with families and carers throughout to ensure they were aware of any changes and have supported patients to stay in touch by telephone and video call.”

The latest figures show 2,060 people with autism and learning disabilities are being held in mental health hospitals. This is a rise from the previous month.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring people with a learning disability and autistic people are supported to have the best possible quality of life in their community.

“We are determined to reduce the number of people with learning disabilities and autism in mental health hospitals and significant government investment in community support has led to a 29% reduction in inpatients. Above all, human rights must be protected.

“Baroness Hollins has been appointed to oversee the independent case reviews for people in the most restrictive settings to ensure they are supported towards discharge. She will be making recommendations in due course.”

(c) Sky News 2020: Mum whose autistic son has been held in solitary confinement for three years in desperate plea for help