More must be done to help Scotland’s learning disabled, says minister

A Scottish Government minister has said “more must be done” to help Scotland’s learning disabled as figures showed almost two fifths of such hospital patients stayed in longer than necessary for medical purposes.

Data from December 25 last year, showed of the 176 people with learning disabilities who have complex care needs  in hospital, there were 68 who had had their discharge delayed.

Public Health Scotland figures from the same time also showed there were 28 people who were in what was classed as an “inappropriate out-of-area placement”.

This is where someone is placed in a care setting that they or they family did not choose, because a lack of suitable provisions in their preferred community.

Both these groups are included in the urgent category of adults with learning disabilities who have complex care needs and are registered on a Dynamic Support  Register (DSR)

As of December 25 last year, Public Health Scotland data showed an estimated 1,500 people on the DSR – with this down by 2% on the same time in 2024.

The total also included 187 people classed as being at risk of support breakdown, with their living situation having become unsuitable. This can happen in cases when a carer is unable to carry on with caring responsibilities, or there has been an “increase in severity and frequency of challenging  behaviour”.

Mental wellbeing and social care minister Tom Arthur said the 391 people in the urgent category – which includes those at risk of support breakdown, as well as those in hospital and those in out of area placements – was down by 15% over the year.

The minister said: “Delayed hospital discharges are down 19%, inappropriate out-of-area placements have nearly halved — falling 47% — and the number of people at risk of support breakdown has reduced by 18%.”

Mr Arthur stated: “This reflects the commitment of local teams and our partners across health, social care and housing.

“But we know more must be done. No one should spend longer in hospital than they need to, and no one should be placed far from home against their wishes.

“Behind every one of these statistics is a person — someone with their own life, relationships, and aspirations — who deserves to live with dignity and independence.”

He said the Scottish Government, together with the local government body Cosla, would publish a new plan this month to “accelerate progress and drive real, lasting change” as part of efforts to “ensure people with learning disabilities can live full and independent lives in their communities”.