SINN Féin MLA Karen Mullan has met with senior health trust officials to discuss austim services.
She met with with Kieran Downey, Director of Women & Children’s Services at the Western Trust and Ann McDuff, Assistant Director of Community & Public Health, alongside families and young people affected by autism to highlight issues.
Karen Mullan said: “I facilitated a positive meeting with families and young people in the city who are affected by autism to provide space for them to raise issues they face daily directly with the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
“The meeting focused on a range of issues including the waiting lists for occupational therapy, speech and language services, direct payments for respite and young people transition services.
“There is an increase in the prevalence of children and adults being diagnosed with autism and services such as direct payments are vital to children and parents.
“Sinn Féin will continue to work with the Western Trust, support groups and families to ensure that the services available to families are efficient and they receive the necessary support.
“I welcome the fact that the Trust have agreed to hold a follow up meetings to monitor how they can improve their service delivery,” she added.
