§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many psychiatrists are employed by the NHS to diagnose and treat autistic spectrum children; [30988]
(2) what plans he has to allow autistic spectrum children to receive their social communication assessments in the private sector when they have waited longer than 12 months in the NHS; [30985]
(3) what the waiting time has been for a social communication assessment on autistic spectrum children by psychiatrists in the last year for which figures are available; [30987]
(4) what discussions he has had with the Royal College of Psychology concerning the effect of delay in diagnosis on the eventual outcome for autistic spectrum children. [30986]
§ Jacqui SmithDiagnosis of autism and early interventions are being considered by an independent group chaired by Professor Ann Le Couteur which is expected to report in 2002. The Royal Colleges of Psychiatrists and Paediatrics and Child Health, the National Autistic Society and the British Psychological Society are all represented. The Department and the Department for Education and Skills both have observers on the group. We will consider what further discussions may be required in the light of the group's report.
As we develop the National Service Framework (NSF) for children we will consider the needs of disabled children, including those with autism. The NSF will set out to tackle inequalities, raise standards and reduce unacceptable variations in NHS and social services. We have recently announced that one of the exemplars we will use to show how services should be provided will be around services for children with autism.
The data requested on numbers of psychiatrists and waiting times for assessments are not collected centrally. We recognise that assessment of communication skills plays an important part in the diagnosis of autism. This requires a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency assessment and may be led by a consultant community paediatrician or a child and adolescent psychiatrist. In some places specialist learning disability psychiatrists offer a service to children as well as adults and they, rather than child and adolescent psychiatrists, will be involved in diagnosis and management of children with autism. All these professionals have a broad range of responsibilities. The proportion of their time devoted to diagnosis and treatment of autism will vary. In the three years ending 31 March 2002 we will have invested some £85 million in children and adolescent mental health services across the national health service and local authorities.
787WWe have no objection in principle to involving the private sector in assessment processes at whatever stage may be appropriate. Local statutory authorities have a duty to ensure that the particular health and social care needs of each person with autism are met with genuine choices for both clients and families, through the most appropriate community based services, in a cost-effective way. They should determine the pattern of services in their areas in the light of their knowledge of local needs.