Number of autistic people in mental health hospitals: latest data

Samantha Fletcher

The latest monthly Assuring Transformation NHS Digital data shows that in October 2024:  

• In total 2,050 autistic people and people with a learning disability are in inpatient mental health hospitals in England 
• 1,410 (69%) of these people are autistic 
• There are 215 under 18s in inpatient units that are autistic or have a learning disability. Of these, 95% are autistic. 

This is the most up-to-date record of how many autistic people and people with a learning disability, both adults and children, are currently in inpatient units in England.  

Despite some progress moving people with a learning disability out of hospital and into the community, the number of autistic people in inpatient facilities has increased. In 2015, autistic people made up 38% of the number in hospital, now it is 69%. Additionally, the number of autistic people without a learning disability detained in mental health hospitals has increased by 122% since 2015. 

You can read more about this and what the National Autistic Society are doing about it here:

https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/news/number-of-autistic-people-in-mental-health-ho-25