Top of page
Misc

U.K. Minister Apologizes for Case of Teen With Autism Kept in Seclusion

girl sitting

Matt Hancock, the British health secretary, publicly apologised to a teenager with autism who has spent close to three years in near total seclusion, New York Times reports.

Bethany is 18 years old. She also lives with autism. And, for most of the last three years, she has been locked away in tiny rooms of psychiatric hospitals across Britain, with almost no human contact.

Matt Hancock, Britain’s health secretary, publicly apologised to her earlier in November  “for the things that have gone wrong in her care.” Calling her case “incredibly difficult and complex,” he said that she was set to be moved to “a more appropriate setting before Christmas.”

The case has drawn national attention to the detention of hundreds of young people with autism or learning disabilities in Britain, and prompted an inquiry into the mental health system by a committee in Parliament. The conditions were so dire, the committee said, that the lawmakers had “lost confidence” in the system and its regulators.

You might also like

Sad lonely woman sitting at desk at home and thinking Sad lonely woman sitting at desk at home and thinking

UK launches fund to tackle loneliness and boost volunteering

Youth clubs, mental health charities and social enterprises are among…

Profile of a bearded man head with symbol neurons in brain Profile of a bearded man head with symbol neurons in brain

Study reveals age-related brain differences in people with autism

A new study led by UC Davis MIND Institute researchers…

cropped shot of nurse taking blood sample of patient with syringe cropped shot of nurse taking blood sample of patient with syringe

People with learning disabilities urged to book free annual health check

People aged 14 and over with a learning disability in…

children playing at the center children playing at the center

UK launches long-term strategy to improve children’s social care

Vulnerable children will be better supported to stay with their…