The National Autistic Society have launched a campaign calling for the NHS to adopt their “Always Charter”. The Always Charter relates to the rights of young people in inpatient units and their families, concerning such things as being cared for by appropriate professionals and being as close to home as possible. We believe the Always Charter is very important, because whilst autism is not a mental health problem, it can be common for autism sufferers to develop mental health problems, often due to a lack of proper support and care. The Always Charter is vital in ensuring that people with autism and/or mental health problems receive the best support and care available.
There is an article here on the National Autistic Society website that talks about care in mental health hospitals and contains information about the Always Charter.
We would welcome your thoughts on this subject in the comments below or on our forums.