3. 2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:42 pm on 11 July 2017.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 2:42, 11 July 2017

Well, Mark Isherwood, you know, as a Welsh Government, we’re committed to delivering the improvements that people with autism and their parents and carers tell us they want to see. Indeed, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 is beginning to transform the way that people receive care and support. We’re also delivering on the priorities of our new autistic spectrum disorder strategic plan, investing £13 million in a new national integrated autism service. Now, this is crucially important—it's about that single, Wales-wide assessment pathway. Of course, you're reflecting concerns about how that can be taken forward and be meaningful for children—because it's a new, single, Wales-wide assessment pathway it will make the system much clearer for families. It does include a 26-week waiting time target for children referred for possible ASD or ADHD. And also, referrals to CAMHS can be made across different areas. So, it is important that parents who have concerns about their children contact their GPs, but the wider strategic arrangements and investment is very clear.