DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service on 2 April 2009
New guidance for
NHS and Local authority staff
People with autism will benefit from better services, with the
help of a new blueprint for commissioning high quality care
published by Care Services Minister, Phil Hope today.
Phil Hope is calling upon the NHS to help drive improvements in
services for people with autism, starting with using the best
practice guidance.
The publication 'Services for adults with autistic spectrum
conditions (ASC): good practice advice for primary care trust and
local authority commissioners' is being published to coincide
with World Autism Day.
It provides good practice advice for NHS and Local Authority
staff including:
* how to plan services that give young people with autism the
right support as they move from using child to adult services;
* developing a better understanding of the needs of people with
autism who live locally, to help fit services to their individual
requirements; and
* making sure the right services are available to everyone who
needs them.
The guide also highlights good practice in providing autism
services. For example, in Gloucester and Liverpool dedicated teams
have created joined-up approaches to local services to increase
access to housing, education and employment, as well as health services.
Today's guidance comes ahead of a consultation for the first
national strategy for adults with autism to be launched later this month.
Minister for Care Services, Phil Hope said:
"Many people with autism are undiagnosed, misunderstood and
looking for help. Today on World Autism Day I want to make clear I
am fully on their side.
"I want the NHS to start driving improvements in services
for people with autism, starting with taking this guidance to
heart. It will be a small start in what I hope will be a big
movement for change.
"People who work in the NHS and local authorities have told
me they want more advice on how to provide the best possible
services for adults with autism in their communities.
"That is where this guidance comes in. There is great work
out there. Local teams in Gloucester and Liverpool are providing
high quality services for adults with autism and this guidance
will help other Trusts learn from their best practice.
"I am also looking forward to launching the first national
strategy for adults with autism later this month"
ENDS
For media enquiries only please contact the Department of Health
newsdesk on 02072105221
The guidance is available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/Deliveringadultsocialcare/DH_079431