Bed Blockage in an Acute Admission Service for People with a Learning Disability

Previous research has observed an accumulation of in‐patients in admission facilities for people with a learning disability. This study looks at a sample of 21 patients who had been admitted for more than three months in admission facilities managed by an NHS Trust, and identifies diagnosis, circumstances leading to admission, and discharge planning. Almost all were appropriate for discharge, but could not be discharged because of lack of appropriate non‐hospital facilities for people with a learning disability and a severe psychiatric disorder or behaviour problem. It is recommended that health and social services commissioners jointly invest in community‐based services and skilled staff to reduce the inappropriate use of hospital beds.