Marshalled List of Amendments
Tuesday 11 May 2021
7 May 2021
Private Members’ Business
Item 3: Order Paper 95/17-22 – Tuesday 11 May 2021
Private Members’ Business
Motion: Autism Strategy
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes with deep concern that, by the end of 2020, almost 4,500 children across Health and Social Care Trusts were awaiting diagnosis for autism, with some reportedly waiting more than 2 years; recognises the distress and harm that this places on those awaiting diagnosis and tailored support services, as well as on their families; expresses its concern at the growing inequality of access to autism services and diagnosis; further notes the stark difference in waiting times across Health and Social Care Trusts; and calls on the Minister of Health to bring forward a longer-term strategy, to be progressed urgently in partnership with those with autism, their families, carers, and community and voluntary sector organisations, to ensure equality of care and services that are free at the point of access and based on need.
[Mr Colm Gildernew]
[Ms Cáral Ní Chuilín]
[Ms Órlaithí Flynn]
[Ms Karen Mullan]
The Speaker has selected the following Amendment for debate:
Amendment 1
Leave out all after the first ‘awaiting’ and insert:
‘a diagnostic assessment for autism, with some reportedly waiting more than 2 years which exceeds the autism assessment standard of 13 weeks from the point of the initial referral; recognises the distress and harm that this places on those awaiting diagnosis and tailored support services, as well as on their families; expresses its concern at the growing inequality of access to autism services and diagnosis; further notes the stark difference in waiting times across Health and Social Care Trusts; and calls on the Minister of Health to bring forward a longer-term strategy which sets out measurable targets against which its successes may be assessed by an independent body, to be progressed urgently in partnership with those with autism, their families, carers, and community and voluntary sector organisations, to ensure equality of care and services that are free at the point of access and based on need.’
[Ms Pam Cameron]
[Mr Jonathan Buckley]
[Ms Paula Bradley]
