The long-term psycho-social impact of the pandemic on people with intellectual disability and their carers.

Background: People with intellectual disabilities (PWID) are at six times higher risk of death due to COVID-19. To mitigate harm, as a high-risk group, significant social changes were imposed on PWID in the UK. Alongside these changes, the uncertainty of the pandemic influence, caused PWID and their carers to encounter significant stress.

Telepsychiatry for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health difficulties during Covid-19 pandemic: survey of self-reported experience and acceptability to patients, carers and psychiatrists in the UK.

This project sought to ascertain views and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities, their carers', and specialist intellectual disability psychiatrists as to use of telepsychiatry consultations. During the Covid-19 pandemic specialist psychiatrists in intellectual disability services in the United Kingdom (UK) have explored and adopted use of telepsychiatry for psychiatric consultations. An easy-read co-designed questionnaire was sent to potential respondents  = 590 potential respondents ( = 280 patients,  = 280 carers), and a separate questionnaire was sent electronically to  = 30 specialist intellectual disability psychiatrists.

Implementing proposed reforms of the Mental Health Act for people with intellectual disability and autism: the perspective of multidisciplinary professionals in intellectual disability teams.

Background: A recent government white paper sets out proposals for reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA). Some of these proposals affect people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism.

Aims: To explore both positive and unintended negative effects of the proposed reforms by gathering the perspectives of healthcare workers from multiple disciplines, working with intellectual disability and/or autism in community and in-patient settings.