Human rights of autistic Walsall teenager 'inadequately considered', says report
The human rights of an autistic teenage girl were "inadequately considered" while she was locked up in seclusion, a damning review of her care has concluded.
The plight of 18-year-old Bethany, from Walsall, has made national headlines and Health Secretary Matt Hancock has now apologised following building pressure over recent weeks and pledged to try and have her moved by Christmas.
Bethany has been kept in segregation in mental health units for nearly three years.
She was sectioned under the Mental Health Act because she was deemed to be a risk to herself and others but the Government and NHS England has now accepted the setting and conditions she was being kept in were inappropriate.
An excerpt of a review into Bethany's care, which was carried out by NHS England and published by the Government, said "psychological harm and Beth’s human rights" have been "inadequately considered" while the teenager has been kept in seclusion.
It also questioned the "legitimisation of such restrictions" in line with the Code of Practice and said "safeguarding issues have not been adequately considered throughout Beth’s life in care".
The report makes a series of a recommendations, including involving parents more closely in decision-making and ensuring segregation is used only as a last resort, which the Health Secretary said were currently being considered.
Mr Hancock has vowed to review the care of more than 2,000 people who are in a similar situation after her father Jeremy, who can only be identified by his first name, blew the whistle on his daughter's care, sparking widespread alarm.
He apologised at the weekend and admitted that Bethany "does need to be moved". The Health Secretary said Bethany's was a case where "care has gone wrong".
Mr Hancock said: "We've got to get that right. It's a very challenging situation because her care needs are very, very significant and I would love to see Bethany be able to move into a community setting but again that move would have to have all of the support in place."
"Of course I apologise to Jeremy and frankly to Bethany for the things that have gone wrong in her care and the current plan is for her to be moved to a more appropriate setting before Christmas. I very much hope that will happen."
