The Health Minister Michael McGimpsey committed to developing an urgent action plan following the Independent Review of Autism Services, which was chaired by Lord Maginnis.
Key elements of the three year Action Plan include:-
- A reduction in the waiting times for assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support;
- The start of a Regional Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Group to coordinate services and to agree standards of care as well as the referral pathway for children with suspected ASD; and
- Redesigning the pre-school health visiting programme to promote early identification of developmental delay in children, and earlier awareness of signs of autism.
Launching the plan for consultation the Minister said: “I am extremely pleased to launch the consultation document on an ASD Strategic Action Plan. In doing so, I recognise that there is an urgent need to develop and improve health and social care services for people of all ages who are affected by ASD. This Strategic Action Plan will set out the direction for service development and improvement in health and social care services over the next three years.
“I am most grateful to Lord Maginnis and his team for producing the Independent Review of Autism Services. Their report has contributed significantly to this Action Plan and I share their aspiration in seeing real and lasting changes in service delivery.
He continued: ‘My goal is to see earlier detection and recognition of autism, prompt assessment and diagnosis, and appropriate intervention and support for individuals affected by autism, and their families. I have already secured investment of £2.02million over the next three years to support the implementation of this Action Plan.
“Improving the services we provide will of course require more than funding. We must work smarter and be as flexible as possible. There will be less emphasis on structures and barriers which may divide, rather than provide the services we need.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The ASD Strategic Action Plan consultation document and response pro-forma are available online at http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/consultations.htm.
2. The consultation will close on 12 December 2008.
3. The Action Plan has five key areas;
- service redesign to improve autism care;
- performance improvement of autism services;
- training and raising awareness
- improving communication and information for individuals and families; and
- effective engagement and partnership working.
4. The Strategic Action Plan has been informed by several pivotal documents including the Independent Review of Autism Services (in 2008), which was chaired by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass.
5. The Review of School Nursing and Health Visiting will report on how the early year’s health visiting programme will be redesigned to include a home based visit at 24 months.
6. Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520575, or out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
