Autistic teenager 'locked in a cell' to be moved after father's campaign
An autistic teenage girl from Walsall who has been locked up in seclusion for three years has been granted a move to a new care setting following a passionate campaign by her father.
The plight of 18-year-old Bethany has made national headlines and prompted an apology from Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
A move to a more appropriate setting near Preston has now been secured after a review found it was not safe for her to stay where she was.
Bethany has been kept locked in a cell and fed through a small metal hatch.
Mr Hancock pledged to try and ensure Bethany was moved by Christmas after details of her case sparked outrage.
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Her father Jeremy said she would move on December 15.
A review of her care found her human rights were "inadequately considered".
Jeremy said he was pleased he had finally been able to get his daughter out of her current facility in Wales. Before that she was at St Andrew's Hospital in Northampton, a mental health unit judged to be unsuitable for her.
Jeremy said: "There was a review of Beth's care and treatment and the panel were worried about Beth's life, her care was that bad.
"Everything was just horror and it was felt Beth would have to move as soon as possible."
Truck driver Jeremy said the setting would be much more suitable for Bethany and that he was now looking forward to spending Christmas with her.
He said: "There is a team of people absolutely experienced in autism with care that is less restrictive. They are already working with Beth in her current setting.
"Beth is over the moon and is looking forward to her first proper Christmas in four years."
Jeremy has been critical of Health Secretary Mr Hancock and urged him to act to help more than 2,000 other people in a similar situation to his daughter."
He said: "Until the Health Secretary takes on board the recommendations of not only Beth's serious case review but the recommendations by the joint select committee on human rights and recommendations of the CQC nothing will change."
