Autistic people and those with learning disabilities are still experiencing 'unnecessary and intolerable' treatment at inpatient facilities, MPs have warned today.
A new report from the Health and Social Care Committee has called for a ban on admission to long-term institutional care.
It said the use of these facilities is a 'scandal' that has been driven by a lack of adequate community provision.
It found more than 2,000 autistic people and those with learning disabilities are currently held in secure institutions, where the average length of stay is six years.
Jeremy Hunt, chair of the Committee, said: 'It is a matter of national shame that ten years on from the appalling practices uncovered at Winterbourne View, still far too many autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities are detained in secure units.
'Despite commitments by governments over the years, the totally inadequate level of community provision means that autistic people and people with learning disabilities are wrongfully admitted to inpatient facilities and detained for a shocking average of six years.
'With two thousand people remaining in such institutions it is time to recognise that a voluntary approach to reducing the numbers has failed and long-term admissions should now be banned with alternative community provision set up in their place.'
