The report of the review group on health and personal social services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, Towards an Independent Future, published in December 1996, sets out the requirements for the development of these services, including speech and language therapy services. As also recommended in the report, regional co-ordinating committees for services for people with physical and sensory disabilities have been put in place in each of the health boards. One of the primary functions of the co-ordinating committees is to advise the chief executive officer of each board on priorities for the allocation of funds available for the development of the services.
An additional 13 new speech and language therapy posts have been created from development funding made available in 1997 and 1998. This year development funding totalling £3 million, £6 million full year cost in the year 2000, has been provided for the development of services, which includes £300,000, £600,000 full year cost in the year 2000, provided to the Western Health Board. The setting of priorities for the development of services, including speech and language therapy services, in 1999 is being discussed by the health boards with their local co-ordinating committees. Speech and language therapy continues to be identified by all health boards as a priority service for development.