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Publication, Part of

Learning Disability Services Monthly Statistics, AT: August 2025, MHSDS: July 2025

Official statistics, Experimental statistics

Learning Disability Services Statistics re-naming consultation

NHS England is currently in the process of re-naming the Learning Disability Services Statistics monthly publication. The consultation on the proposed re-naming has now closed. 

18 September 2025 09:30 AM

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Summary findings from MHSDS

MHSDS main findings - July 2025

At the end of July 2025 (based on hospital spells data):

  • There were 3,995 people with a learning disability and autistic people in hospital.
  • There were 1,580 admissions and 1,710 discharges. 78% of these were discharged back into the community.
  • There were 449,320 referrals¹ for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

Of these inpatients:

  • 1,185 (30%) had been in hospital for over 2 years.
  • There are 1,510 inpatients with a planned discharge date (38%).
  • 350 (9%) had a delayed discharge.
  • The largest proportion (26%) were aged between 25-34 (1,045).
  • The lowest proportion (5%) were aged under 18 (205).
  • 66% were male (2,650) and 32% were female (1,270).

Findings based on ward stays data:

  • There were 3,965 ward stays reported for the end of the period.
  • The largest group of inpatients were in an adult mental health ward (2,300, 58%), followed by a learning disabilities ward (795, 20%). 
  • 2,385 (60%) were in a non-secure setting². 1,340 (34%) were in a secure setting.
  • 515 (13%) travelled over 50km from home to get to the hospital for care or treatment.
  • 865 patients were restrained at least once.

1 These include all open referrals without a hospital spell associated with them if the inpatient did not need to stay overnight in hospital.

2 Non-secure wards include inpatients in general wards. Secure wards include patients in low, medium and high secure ward settings.


Last edited: 18 September 2025 11:25 am