Vol. 388 No. 4
asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made to date on the recommendations made in the report, The Psychiatric Services: Planning for the Future, which referred to the services for autistic children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
73.
asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to implement the recommendations of the report of the study group entitled The Psychiatric Services — Planning for the Future published in December, 1984 relating to autistic children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
74.
asked the Minister for Health the reason recommendations 17 and 18 of the Report Psychiatric Services — Planning for the Future have not been implemented; if he intends to implement them with the utmost urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 73, and 74 together.
The implementation of policy in relation to health is a matter for the health boards. They have drawn up plans in accordance with the framework set out in the report in question. To date they have concentrated on developments in the services for adults.
The health boards are, however, aware of the need to develop services for children. The Eastern Health Board, in particular, is at present actively pursuing a number of alternatives for autistic children and especially for adolescent and adult autistics who have outgrown the children's facilities. The parents are participating in these discussions.
