Over 1,000 autistic people and people with learning disabilities have spent at least two years in mental health hospitals in England, according to a new report.
Figures for June 2026 show 2,150 people were in mental health hospitals, including 320 who had been there for more than a decade.
Published by the Centre for Mental Health on 16 October, No Wrong Door: A Review assesses progress towards a 10-year plan for mental health, autism and learning disability services launched in 2022.
While some improvements have been made, the review warns too many people still wait months or years for support, with some reaching crisis point before receiving help.
Better community services, supported housing and social care are needed to help more people live independently rather than remain in hospital, the report says.
Staffing is another concern. The NHS mental health and learning disability workforce grew from 111,791 full-time equivalent staff in September 2019 to 138,479 in March 2023, but growth has since slowed. The report calls for a long-term plan to expand and support the workforce.
Children and young people also face lengthy waits, with some waiting more than two years for essential support. Despite the expansion of mental health teams in schools and plans for early support hubs, progress on prevention remains slow.
Long waits for autism and ADHD assessments are highlighted as a particular problem for both children and adults, while the effectiveness of planned mental health emergency departments remains uncertain.
Beyond NHS services, the review warns efforts to tackle the underlying causes of poor mental health, including poverty, housing problems and financial insecurity, have not led to action on a sufficient scale.
Andy Bell, chief executive of Centre for Mental Health said: ‘The people who spoke to us in the creation of No wrong door were clear that mental health, autism and learning disability services needed to change. They helped us compile a compelling vision of what support could be like in 2032. It’s time to return to that vision to equip mental health services with the right resources to fulfil their potential in the years to come.
‘Just last week, the independent prevalence review demonstrated beyond doubt that there is a need for more action to prevent mental distress and to improve support for neurodivergence and mental ill health. The government’s new strategy can set a direction of travel that builds on the good practice that exists today, that invests in a workforce fit for the future, and is ambitious about the support that’s available to people where and when they need it.’
The full report can be read here
Photo: Matthew Ball
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