Family of autistic man who died after 10 days in mental health detention call for change
The family of an autistic man who died after being kept in a mental health detention suite for 10 days have called for changes to how people with learning disabilities are treated in the mental health system.
An inquest which concluded in October last year found that Declan Morrison, 26, died from "catastrophic" injuries after banging his head repeatedly against a wall in the detention suite which should only have been used for 48 hours.
Mr Morrison, from Cambourne near Cambridge, was non-verbal and required 24-hour care for his autism, ADHD, severe learning disabilities and bipolar disorder.
He had lived in private placements sourced by Cambridgeshire County Council, but by the end of 2021 his placement was unable to meet his needs and the council could not find anywhere suitable for him to go.
In March 2022, Mr Morrison was detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, then transferred to a suite at Fulbourn Hospital where he was kept for 10 days.
His mother, Samantha Morrison, told ITV News Anglia: "He was lost, he was alone, he was left, he was frightened, he was under-stimulated. And he was misunderstood.
"The biggest thing is that he was alone."
A Prevention of Future Deaths report issued by the coroner after his inquest stated the suite was not suitable for someone with Mr Morrison's needs.
His family wants to stop people with learning disabilities being detained in these spaces - and they now have the support of their local MP, Ian Sollom.
The Liberal Democrat MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire told ITV News Anglia: "There's over 2,000 people who are either autistic or have learning disabilities who are currently detained under the Mental Health Act, and that's just far too many, and for far too long as well."
Tim Nicholls, policy director at the National autistic Society, said that while autism is not a mental health condition, many autistic people develop mental health problems and can get into crisis.
He added: "What is absolutely vital is that the mental health system is better equipped with the right environments and staff training to really support people."
The Department for Health and Social Care said the number of people with learning disabilities in mental health hospitals is "unacceptable".
It told ITV News Anglia: "Our proposed reforms in the Mental Health Bill will limit the scope to detain people with a learning disability and autistic people, ensuring their needs are met in the community."
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