It's a requirement for all providers to adhere to the standards of service for housing adaptations that we published in 2019. These include targets for waiting times for different kinds of adaptations. Most are small adaptations, which are completed within a few days, but the biggest group of adaptations in terms of value is the medium-sized adaptations. These include the most common adaptations, such as a stairlift, an accessible shower, a wet room downstairs and large ramps, or a combination of all of these things. On average, a medium adaptation takes a little over four months to complete.

This year, the Minister for Climate Change is providing £1 million in additional funding to local authorities to avoid using means tests for medium adaptations. The response from local authorities has been very positive, but the adoption of new policies through the councils' procedures does take time. We expect that the vast majority of councils, if not every one, will have adopted a policy of not using means testing by April of next year.

Only a few major adaptations are done every year, and these include substantial changes to the fabric of the building, for example, an extension that perhaps would need planning permission. It's no surprise that these take more time because of these complexities, and on average they take around 40 weeks. Now, for those with MND, this timescale poses great difficulties, and I understand, of course, that 40 weeks can be too long for them to wait to help these people. We provided a discretion in April of this year for regional partnership boards to use capital from the integrated care fund to add to the disabled facilities grant for adaptations costing more than the statutory threshold of £36,000.

Of course, doing major building works at such a difficult time isn't always desirable, so it's important that those with MND can access a range of allied health professionals who can provide different approaches and therapies, allowing people to live as comfortably as possible for as long as possible. They will work with people and families to find other possible options instead of adaptations. 

The specialist care provided by the service in Wales will also support people with MND by providing mobility and communication equipment, as is required. Community occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy can also assist people with MND to manage their symptoms, and to reduce the impact of the illness on their daily lives. Allied health professionals are working together with social workers and colleagues in the third sector to provide integrated services, and that's from diagnosis to end-of-life care. Caring for the whole family is crucial, and our professionals take great care in ensuring that all provision is provided in a timely manner, and that it isn't intrusive on families who want to make the most of the little time they have left, very often. To conclude, I want to encourage the Chamber to support the motion.