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

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

• There were 3,955 people with a learning disability and autistic people in hospital.
• There were 1,450 admissions and 1,565 discharges. 78% of these were discharged back into the community.
• There were 446,570 referrals¹ for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

Of these inpatients:

• 1,170 (30%) had been in hospital for over 2 years.
• There are 1,520 inpatients with a planned discharge date (38%).
• 345 (9%) had a delayed discharge.
• The largest proportion (27%) were aged between 25-34 (1,060).
• The lowest proportion (5%) were aged under 18 (200).
• 67% were male (2,655) and 32% were female (1,270).

Findings based on ward stays data:

• There were 3,920 ward stays reported for the end of the period.
• The largest group of inpatients were in an adult mental health ward (2,305, 59%), followed by a learning disabilities ward (785, 20%). 
• 2,395 (61%) were in a non-secure setting². 1,345 (34%) were in a secure setting.
• 500 (13%) travelled over 50km from home to get to the hospital for care or treatment.
• 820 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.