On the first day of the hearing, evidence was heard from medical professionals and family members of people with disability. Commissioners Sackville, Atkinson and McEwan were in attendance.

Dr Catherine Franklin, consultant psychiatrist at Mater Intellectual Disability and Autism Service, spoke about the use of psychotropic medication on people with intellectual disability and/or autism. She suggested while psychotropic medication has its use, there isn’t compelling evidence it is effective in managing challenging behaviour and so it should be treated as a last resort. She suggested people with intellectual disability should be able to refuse medication in the way other people can, but that high compliance can lead to numerous types of medication at increasing doses over time.