Statistics on people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals, AT: July 2026, MHSDS: June 2026

At the end of June 2026 (based on hospital spells data):

• There were 3,900 people with a learning disability and autistic people in hospital.
• There were 1,320 admissions and 1,420 discharges. 77% of these were discharged back into the community.
• There were 466,505 referrals¹ for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

Of these inpatients:

• 1,070 (27%) had been in hospital for over 2 years.
• There are 1,565 inpatients with a planned discharge date (40%).
• 380 (10%) had a delayed discharge.
• The largest proportion (27%) were aged between 25-34 (1,060).
• The lowest proportion (5%) were aged under 18 (205).
• 66% were male (2,570) and 33% were female (1,300).

Findings based on ward stays data:

• There were 3,885 ward stays reported for the end of the period.
• The largest group of inpatients were in an adult mental health ward (2,210, 57%), followed by a learning disabilities ward (625, 16%). 
• 2,475 (64%) were in a non-secure setting². 1,230 (32%) were in a secure setting.
• 425 (11%) travelled over 50km from home to get to the hospital for care or treatment.
• 840 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.