Responding to Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) progress report on care for people with a learning disability, autistic people and people with mental ill health, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"CQC is right that there is much more to do to make sure that people with a learning disability, autistic people and people with mental ill health get the care and support they need.

"We welcome CQC highlighting that many staff are working hard to bring about the necessary changes. Our 2020 report Getting it right for everyone showed how NHS trusts are working to provide high-quality care for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. However, progress remains unacceptably slow and systemic challenges persist which mean that too many individuals can’t get the care and support they need and deserve.

"The government, NHS and local authorities must work together to put the sustainable funding and resources in place across health, social care and public services – including education, housing and employment support – to deliver the high-quality community services and skilled staff required to fully meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our society and their families."