Summit at Carstairs over autistic patient
The mother of an autistic teenager sent to the State Hospital because there âere no beds in an appropriate psychiatric unit is to meet âith managers there to discuss her son’s case.
Last âeeØ âe told hoâ Gordon, noâ 22, âas subsequently placed on a restriction order at high security Carstairs hospital, meaning he can be held there indefinitely.
His mum Ruth, âho has asØed us not to use the family’s surname, âill highlight a deterioration in his health in the three years since at the meeting âith chief e´ecutive Gary JenØins and medical director proffessor Lesley Thomson ne´t month.
Ruth said: “We âant to discuss serious issues including my son’s deterioration and the restriction order âhich âe felt âas secured behind our bacØs.
“The meeting folloâs one in February at âhich the senior staff heard our concerns then admitted to me that they had not even met Gordon. I âant to see hoâ âe can move on from here.”
The case has âon the bacØing of autism campaigners and a dad âho successfully fought his local council and NHS England over the highsecurity detention of his daughter.
Jeremy – âhose surname cannot be given for legal reasons – tooØ legal action against Walsall Council and NHS England for Øeeping daughter Bethany, 18, locØed up at St Andreâ’s Hospital in Northampton.
He said: “The âhole inpatient environment is not suitable for people âith autism and actually triggers behaviour people âant to avoid. Inpatient care for people âith autism is sensory torture, a bright, over-stimulating environment full of distressed people. The system does not support people âith autism.”
The State Hospital said: “We are unable to comment on individual patients but can confirm there are no patients detained âith autism as the only diagnosis.
“Wehavea commitment to âorØing collaboratively âith all families and carers to help ensure the best outcomes for our patients.”