Health Minister has announced a recurrent
£3m a year to support autism services in Wales.
Mr Gething said the money will be used to continue to fund autism
services after the initial £13m funding for the Integrated Autism
Service pilots ends in 2021. He also announced plans for a demand
and capacity review to ensure autism and neurodevelopmental
services are sustainable in the long term.
The Minister said: “The integrated autism service is raising
awareness of autism across Wales, improving access to assessment
and diagnosis and putting in place additional specialist support
in every region.
The money I am announcing today will ensure that our commitment
to improving autism services is fulfilled in the long term.
Alongside this I am commissioning a review ensure that services
are meeting people’s needs and the money is being invested where
it’s needed.”
Notes
In 2016, the Welsh Government published a new Autistic Spectrum
Disorder Strategic Action Plan, backed by a £13m investment in
the new Integrated Autism Service. The service is creating
consistent support for autistic adults and parents and carers,
across Wales. Services operate across 7 regions: Cardiff and
Vale, Cwm Taf, Gwent, Powys, North Wales, Western Bay and West
Wales.
As awareness of autism has increased, demand for assessment and
support services continues to rise, and the current capacity of
services is limited. A two phase demand and capacity review will
benchmark current services and develop options in partnership
with stakeholders to ensure that future services are needs based
and sustainable in the longer term.
The Health Minister’s Written Statement can be found
here: https://gov.wales/written-statement-improvements-autism-services
