HC Deb 29 October 2002 vol 391 cc680-3
13. Dr. Stephen Ladyman (South Thanet)

What progress has been made in implementing the national service framework for children in relation to autism. [75362]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Mr. David Lammy)

The disabled children's external working group is developing draft standards and interventions that will help improve services and support for disabled children. One of the national service framework exemplars that we publish will be on services for children with autism.

Dr. Ladyman

The national service framework, using autism as an exemplar, has the potential to provide a sea change in the way in which autistic people and their carers are looked after, but the key will be to ensure that it is a genuine cross-departmental exercise and that the exemplar is followed in the field. How will my hon. Friend ensure that it is being implemented out there, where it matters?

Mr. Lammy

My hon. Friend takes an active interest in autism as chair of the all-party group on autism. Francine Bates, chair of the external working group, is meeting him on 5 November to take these ideas forward and we will consider them in due course. Joint guidance has been issued for consultation by the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills to help families, children and carers affected by autism.

Mr. Henry Bellingham (North-West Norfolk)

Is the Minister aware that children on the autistic spectrum often need speech therapy and occupational therapy? A constituent whose child needs occupational therapy recently told me that the list in west Norfolk is running at 36 months and that the child has therefore been removed from the list. There is a big problem in some areas: it is not simply a question of resources but of long-term planning and of the Government emphasising recruitment. Will the Minister take this on board?

Mr. Lammy

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. The number of language therapists has increased from 4,870 in 1997 to 5,680 in 2001. He is right to say that we must continue to work hard in that area.

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