The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cerebral Palsy has published its first report, focussing on the issue of early intervention.
Published on 25 March, Early identification, intervention and pathways of care of infants and young children with cerebral palsy: The case for reform and investment looks at the issues of early identification and intervention, pathways of care, and centres of excellence.
Established in December 2020, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cerebral Palsy provides a forum for Parliamentarians to better understand the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by cerebral palsy, and brings together organisations from across the UK to focus on CP.
The report makes in total 11 key recommendations for reform and investment that have the potential to make a huge difference to children with cerebral palsy and their families. These include:
- All health authorities should be required to implement the NICE Guidelines and Quality Standards on the management of cerebral palsy as a minimum standard.
- The Government must fund and ringfence streamlined pathways of care for children at risk of neurodisability.
- The Personal Child Health Record, or ‘red book’, should be modified to check for signs of abnormal motor development.
Cerebral Palsy Scotland CEO Baroness Stephanie Fraser of Craigmaddie sits as an officer on the group and Cerebral Palsy Scotland contributed to the development of this report. Commenting on the report, Baroness Fraser said:
“The report makes a number of important recommendations, including calling for a national register of people living with cerebral palsy in the UK. This is something Cerebral Palsy Scotland has been actively asking the Scottish Government to support as well. If we are to have effective services and good care and educational pathways for children with CP, a national register must be established because, simply put, if you’re not counted, you don’t count.
“Although this report focusses on early intervention and children, the APPG’s remit is for people with CP of all ages, their families and the professionals who support them. I look forward to continuing to be involved in the group’s work as it develops. There is much that we can highlight from a Scottish perspective, including health and social care integration, the Neurological Care and Support Framework for Action and much more.”
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Cerebral Palsy is co-chaired by Mary Foy MP (Labour, City of Durham) and Paul Maynard MP (Conservative, Blackpool North and Cleveleys).
Next sessions of the group will look at provision for school-aged children with cerebral palsy, and interventions, pathways and outcomes from both educational and healthcare perspectives.