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

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

• There were 4,025 people with a learning disability and autistic people in hospital.
• There were 1,390 admissions and 1,455 discharges. 77% of these were discharged back into the community.
• There were 472,470 referrals¹ for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

Of these inpatients:

• 1,160 (29%) had been in hospital for over 2 years.
• There are 1,535 inpatients with a planned discharge date (38%).
• 375 (9%) had a delayed discharge.
• The largest proportion (27%) were aged between 25-34 (1,075).
• The lowest proportion (5%) were aged under 18 (215).
• 66% were male (2,670) and 33% were female (1,315).

Findings based on ward stays data:

• There were 3,980 ward stays reported for the end of the period.
• The largest group of inpatients were in an adult mental health ward (2,295, 58%), followed by a learning disabilities ward (775, 19%). 
• 2,430 (61%) were in a non-secure setting². 1,350 (34%) were in a secure setting.
• 480 (12%) 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.