§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he proposes to take to help ensure that transport problems do not prevent the parents of handicapped children in Wales from taking their child regularly to assessment clinics.
§ Mr. Barry JonesArea health authorities provide transport in cases where patients are unable to use public services or where the public service is inadequate. In other cases, if there is financial need help with fares may be provided.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales in which districts in Wales there are short-stay beds available for handicapped children, either in hospitals or in hostels; and in which districts of Wales no such facility is available.
§ Mr. Barry JonesThere is no special designation in hospitals of short-stay beds for handicapped children. Full information on hostels providing such beds is not readily available, but all social services departments have a duty to receive children, including handicaped children, into care when necessary.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for the establishment of a centre in Wales with comprehensive facilities for handicapped persons, as recommended in paragraph 5.10 of the Welsh Council report on the problems of physically handicapped children in Wales.
§ Mr. Barry JonesProposals for the establishment of a centre are under consideration.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps have been taken by the Welsh Office to implement the recommendation of the Welsh Council, in its report on physically handicapped 589W children in Wales, that all babies should be seen by a paediatrician within seven days of birth.
§ Mr. Barry JonesI accept this recomendation, which had been made earlier by the committee on child health services, chaired by Emeritus Professor S. D. M. Court. A good practice document on prevention in the child health service, which will include advice about the need for early examination, is being prepared for issue to area health authorities.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary a State for Wales what studies the Welsh Office has undertaken of the assessment and treatment of handicapped children in various parts of Wales; and what conclusions have come from such study.
§ Mr. Barry JonesThese matters were well covered by the comprehensive reports of the Warnock and Court committees. Professional staff from the Welsh Office visit field authorities regularly, and where necessary suggest changes in local practices.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to set up an inquiry into the provision of social services in various parts of Wales for handicapped children and their families.
§ Mr. Barry JonesThe Welsh Office keeps in close touch with the local authority social services departments, which are responsible for the provision of services for handicapped children and their families and encourages their co-ordinated development. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and my right hon. and learned Friend set up last year the children's committee, whose responsibilities include a continuing review of the needs of children and the services provided for them.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales for how many projects arising out of the report of the Welsh Council on the problems of physically handicapped children in Wales joint funding has been arranged as recommended in paragraph 3.10 of that report.
§ Mr. Barry JonesNo applications have been received to date for joint funding of projects for physically handicapped children.
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