Investigative evidence shows that over 100 patients with learning disabilities are being held in special hospitals since 20 years.

  • Tony Hickmott (44), a secure Assessment and Treatment Unit resident for over 20 years 
  • He was taken under the Mental Health Act section and was sent away to his new home in 2001.
  • The 2015 government commitment was to put an end to the scandal that adult prisoners were being held as in-patients for so many years










It was disclosed last night that over 100 adults with learning disabilities were held in hospital specialist for more than two decades.

Because of their inability to find community care, people with autism or Down’s syndrome end up in NHS hospitals.

Tony Hickmott (44), an autistic man, lives in a Secure Assessment and Treatment Unit. He has lived there for over 20 years. 

These units can be used as short-term, secure housing for individuals with learning disabilities who need to get treatment before returning to the community.

He was sentenced to section under the Mental Health Act 2001. 

Initially, his family was told that he would be absent for nine months. However, he was declared fit for discharge by psychiatrists in 2013. 

He is currently waiting for the local authorities to locate him a home. His elderly parents have been fighting for his rights in court. 

After BBC News challenged an order that prevented the publication of details of his case, they made them public.

People with conditions such as autism and Down's syndrome are trapped in NHS institutions due to failures in finding suitable community care (file photo)

Because of a failure to find suitable community care, people with autism or Down’s syndrome end up in NHS hospitals (file photo).

BBC Investigation revealed that 350 individuals were held in hospital specialist for over a decade. 

100 of them, which includes Mr Hickmott have been in ATUs for more than twenty years. 

The Court of Protection is hearing his case. This Court decides welfare issues for persons with diminished mental abilities.

Carolyn Hilder Senior Judge, who is hearing this case, criticized the “egregious” progress made in finding the right care for him. 

Pam, the 81-year-old mother, told her son that he no longer believes he’s returning home. 

She said, “If he had murdered anyone, he would be out now.” He has lost his family and his home.

He’s only a shadow now of the person he was. There are so many families like us – crying and screaming. We can be our children’s voice.

She claimed that delays in his release were caused by a dispute between the NHS and the local authority. 

The NHS pays for her son’s ATU, however the costs of housing him would be borne by Brighton and Hove City Council.

Mrs Hickmott stated that although judges have told them to do it, they are still refusing. They are still fighting for the money.

Roy, her husband, used to visit Tony two times a week. Now they only go on Thursdays.

In 2015, the Government launched a programme aimed at ending the scandal of adults with learning disabilities and autism being kept for years in in-patient units (file photo)

2015. The government launched a program to stop adults with learning disabilities or autism from being held for many years in in-patient units. File photo 

Mr Hickmott, who is 78 years old, stated that he had been in three vehicles, traveling to and from. Pam and I sometimes go back to the side of the road, and then we cry.

2015. The government launched a scheme to stop adults with learning disabilities or autism from being held for many years in intensive care units. 

Following horrendous revelations made in 2011, about neglecting patients with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View Hospital in Gloucestershire, this was followed by this.

However, official statistics show that only 2,070 people currently live in units in England. This is down by 13 percent from March 2015.

According to the council, Tony has very complex needs. Although we have tried many times to locate a more sustainable solution closer to Brighton, these failed. 

According to the NHS, it is working hard to make sure that he receives appropriate care and support.

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