Learning Disability Services Monthly Statistics, AT: March 2024, MHSDS: February 2024

At the end of February 2024 (based on hospital spells data):

• There were 3,530 people with learning disabilities and/ or autistic spectrum disorders (LDA) in hospital.
• There were 1,195 admissions and 1,325 discharges. 83% of these were discharged back into the community.
• There were 404,790 referrals¹ for people with LDA.

Of these inpatients:

• 1,005 (29%) had been in hospital for over 2 years.
• There are 1,005 inpatients with a planned discharge date (28%).
• 285 (8%) had a delayed discharge.
• The largest proportion (27%) were aged between 25-34 (965).
• The lowest proportion (6%) were aged under 18 (205).
• 66% were male (2,320) and 32% were female (1,130).

Findings based on ward stays data:

• There were 3,480 ward stays reported for the end of the period.
• The largest group of inpatients were in an adult mental health ward (1,830, 53%), followed by a learning disabilities ward (825, 24%). 
• 2,200 (63%) were in a non-secure setting². 1,200 (34%) were in a secure setting.
• 450 (13%) travelled over 50km from home to get to the hospital for care or treatment.

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.