Autism group aims to help

Four local authorities and three clinical commissioning groups have joined together to transform local services for people with a learning disability and/or autism.

Luton Borough Council, Luton Clinical Commissioning group together with CCG’s from Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes have formed the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes partnership (BLMK) to transform care for people with a learning disability or autism locally.

The BLMK partnership is developing a three-year plan to transform services for both adults and children.

It will look to strengthen services in the community, which will enable more people to continue to live in their local area, rather than in residential care out of borough. It will also work to ensure that people with a learning disability or autism are only admitted to hospital when there is a clear need for them to be there.

Dr Nina Pearson, Chair of the Luton CCG, said: “It’s important that, wherever possible, people are able to continue to live locally and have access to quality services in their community and we’re pleased to be working with our local and regional partners to make that happen.”