To close or not to close? The future of learning disability hospitals in Scotland

This article deals with the resettlement of people with learning difficulties from Scottish hospitals. First it outlines the policy background, tracing the rise and demise of the long-stay institution. It then reports on a study examining current resettlement policies in Scotland, where there is no national closure programme. The research found that resettlement is largely in disarray, with particular difficulties in planning, financial arrangements and inter-agency collaboration. There is a great risk of hospitals being perpetuated or reconstructed, particularly through the activities of NHS Trusts, and of people with dual labels remaining resident in them for years to come.