§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of health provision for people with Asperger's syndrome. [136954]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 6 November 2003]No assessment has been made of the adequacy of health provision for people with Asperger's syndrome. It is the responsibility of local statutory authorities to determine the pattern of services in their area in the light of their knowledge of local needs and priorities. People with Asperger's syndrome have the same right of access to health services as everyone else. Adults with Asperger's syndrome are covered by the mental health national service framework in respect of any mental health problems that they may have. We have also issued guidance to the national health service, which states that
adults with Asperger's syndrome are not precluded from using learning disability services, where appropriate, and may require an assessment of their social functioning and communications skills in order to determine their level of need".
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether(a) his Department and (b) the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has issued guidance to trusts and doctors on whether Asperger's syndrome should be considered a mental disorder in relation to the Mental Health Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [138833]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonAsperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder on the autistic spectrum and as such comes under the definition of mental disorder in the Mental Health Act 1983. Although the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995 amended the 1983 Act, it did not change the definition of mental disorder. Guidance on the operation of the Mental Health Act 1983 (the Code of Practice ISBN 0–11–322111–8) was produced by my Department and the then Welsh Office and published by the Stationery Office in 1999. It does not make specific mention of Asperger's syndrome.