McGimpsey launches consultation on speech, language and communication therapy action plan

A public consultation on a new action plan to improve services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs has been launched by the Health Minister today.

Speaking at the launch Michael McGimpsey said: "The ability to communicate effectively in today’s fast-changing modern world is very important. In fact, it is an essential part of the development of children and young people if they are to realise their full potential in their home, school, social and working lives.

“My Department has invested substantially in speech and language therapy over the past number of years, including £1million for the provision of speech and language therapists and assistants and £4million to establish multi-disciplinary teams, of which speech and language therapists are a key part. This has made a huge difference to the lives of many young people.

"I believe that this two year draft action plan will provide the necessary impetus to further develop speech and language therapy services in Health and Social care to improve outcomes for children."

The action plan was developed by a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary Speech and Language Therapy Action Plan Project Team, which was established by the Health Minister in August 2009. The action plan aims to secure further development of Health and Social Care speech and language therapy services for children who have clinical and social care needs arising from speech, language or communication difficulties.

The Minister continued: "I want to see services for speech and language therapy designed around the needs of the child or young person and their family.

"The action plan will provide direction on the way forward. Through collaborative working with other organisations and agencies, including education, employment and criminal justice, we can make significant improvements to the lives and futures of children and young people with communication needs.

"I urge all interested parties to fully engage with the consultation process and share their views on the draft action plan."

Alison McCullough, Acting Policy and Partnership Director for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Country Policy Officer in Northern Ireland, voiced her support for the draft action plan: "The profession and our users have been eagerly awaiting the publication of this action plan as it brings to fruition the aspirations of the two NI Children’s Commissioners Reviews and the NI Task Force Report into speech and language therapy provision. It clearly articulates our desire to work alongside our colleagues in health, education and the justice sectors to improve the life chances of all children with speech language and communication difficulties."

Notes to editors:

1. A Review of Speech and Language Therapy was initiated in September 2006.

2. A Task Force was set up and began working in September 2006 to review service provision. The Task Force Report, published on the DHSSPS website on 9 July 2008, emphasised the need for better partnership and collaborative working between health and education professionals to support the early identification of children’s needs and to secure better outcomes for them.

3. In July 2009 the Department established a multi-agency Speech and Language Therapy Action Plan Project Team to develop and agree a Speech, Language and Communication Therapy Action Plan, taking account of the recommendations made in the Task Force Report.

4. It involved staff from the Departments of Health and Education, professionals from the health and education sectors, the Youth Justice Agency and Northern Ireland Prison Service, and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

5. The action plan is intended to provide the strategic direction for the further development of speech and language services over the next two years. It primary focus is raise awareness of the importance of speech and language therapy, drive service reform and recognise the need for collaborative working.

6. The actions are divided into four themes: Commissioning and service redesign to maximise outcomes; Supporting and empowering children, parents and carers; Enabling HSC staff to promote early recognition, assessment, intervention, treatment, care and support; Collaboration between speech and language therapists and teachers and education professionals to enable them to promote early recognition, assessment, intervention and support.

7. The Health and Social Care Board and the Public Health Agency will be responsible for implementing this plan.

8. The draft Action Plan and a consultation questionnaire and response proforma are available on the DHSSPS website

9. The consultation will close on 30 November 2010.

10. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 028 9052 0575, or out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be immediately returned.