Mother whose son has spent 13 years in mental hospital is 'just existing'

Ryan Addison, who has been diagnosed with autism, psychosis and mild learning disabilities, has been kept in long-term segregation at the Humber Centre near Hull for nearly four years.

Among the patients at the secure unit are criminals detained under hospital orders, but his mother Sharon Clarke says he has never committed a crime and she fears his physical and mental health is deteriorating.

Since the start of the pandemic, which meant she was unable to visit for three months, apart from making Skype calls, she says he has been self-harming more and injuring his face.

Mrs Clarke, from Adwick-le-Street, Doncaster, has instructed lawyers from Irwin Mitchell on a potential legal challenge to get the 31-year-old a suitable package of care in the community.

She said: “It’s heartbreaking to see Ryan the way he is. At the minute he just exists.

“For the first four years he was on an open psychiatric ward which wasn’t too bad, but once he got onto forensic wards the care was terrible.

“He should never have been on a forensic ward because he is not a criminal. He is in the wrong place. He doesn’t have any quality of life and we only worry things will get worse if nothing is done.”

Mr Addison is among 2,085 people with a learning disability held in so-called assessment and treatment units (ATU), according to official figures to the end of June.

He was voluntarily detained in a hospital in 2006 when his behaviour deteriorated, culminating in him self-harming.

ATUs are designed to be short stay placements for people with learning disabilities so they can receive treatment before moving back into the community.

Human rights lawyer Kirsty Stuart said: “We believe many are denied a right to a home and a family life that keeps them well.

“Understandably all Sharon wants is what is best for her son; therefore we have applied to the court for a full assessment of Ryan's needs to be carried out and to put in place a suitable community care package.”

On Tuesday Humber Teaching Foundation NHS Trust said they were in “complete agreement” with Mrs Clarke that Ryan’s current placement was “inappropriate”.

Following positive meetings with commissioners last week they are taking steps to have him discharged into a community setting.

A statement added that they understood that he and his family felt the process has taken longer than expected, but it was important to find the right placement to meet his complex needs.

The trust added: "Whilst this work is taking place, providing Ryan with the best possible care remains our priority. Our experienced and dedicated team continue to work with Ryan and his family to ensure that he has all the support he needs and this is regularly reviewed.

"We are in very regular contact with Mrs Clarke to ensure she receives frequent updates, visits and is able to ask questions.

"We have also ensured that Mrs Clarke knows that she can speak to a senior member of our staff at any time."