Colin McGrath
South Down · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“Minister, regardless of where people stand on the exact figure, surely we can all agree that a health service cannot function without the doctors whom it trains.”
“Minister, climate change is happening, and extreme weather events are taking place. We saw that in Downpatrick a number of years ago when the town centre was ravaged by flooding, and it has taken the businesses affected many years to try to get over that flooding.”
“Minister, given that capital funding is, generally, being decimated, the extent of which may increase as a result of the Executive's not agreeing a Budget, what impact will that have on any final road maintenance strategy, and are any contingencies being put in place to manage that?”
“<BR /> <BR />Since March 2025, the parliamentary excellence programme has delivered dedicated sessions with the Executive Office on the strategic framework and its delivery plan, enhancing Members’ understanding of the cross-government approach and their role in scrutiny, legislation and constituency engagement.”
“<BR /> <BR />More broadly, the Assembly Commission supports Members and Committees in carrying out their scrutiny functions, including in relation to the Executive Office’s work on that framework.”
“As the Member mentioned, one example is the Assembly's Women's Caucus, which has a particular focus on supporting women in public life and highlighting the increasing challenges that women face in the digital sphere, including online abuse.”
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“<BR /> <BR />The Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland recently published 'A Workforce Fit for the Future', In that document, we hear doctors express the factors that are most important to them, the top six of which are work-life balance; income; workload; practice stability; the ability to pursue a GP role with special interests; and a practice with MDTs. It is important to note that the implementation of MDTs can lead to enhanced practice stability, so much so that, in practices that have a full complement of MDTs, only one contract has been handed back. When that happened, the trust was able to put in place the necessary structures to reduce patient disruption. Access to MDTs was also factored into GPs' decisions to remain working.”
“We know that, culturally, some members of the public are still reluctant to speak to GP reception staff and want only to speak to their GP. That is understandable, but it places another operational layer on our GPs, who are already struggling. <BR /> <BR />We are living in a post-pandemic world, and that presents new opportunities and new challenges. Today, more than ever, we need to unlock the potential of the health service to meet the needs of patients. Today, more than ever, we need to support our general practitioners to ensure that not only do we retain staff but we make the career path attractive for future generations, which the proposer of the motion referenced.”
“I know that the Minister offers that support to MDTs. We must, however, be cognisant of those working in our healthcare sector, because, for them, the reality is that they are suffering from burnout or are not far from it. <BR /> <BR />With more contracts being handed back by GPs, and health trusts then having to take over control, it is clear that that a paradigm shift is required, both operationally and culturally, in our delivery of primary care. Multidisciplinary teams are ideally placed to deliver that change. Operationally, the process of triage by reception staff is important for placing the patient with the most appropriate mental health, physical or social care needs within the MDT profession at the right time.”
“This is not about apportioning blame. Rather, we must recognise the reality of where we find ourselves and seek the right solution. That is the purpose of the amendment. I say that because nobody could be in any doubt as to the Health Minister's commitment to the important issue of reducing the pressures on primary care and to the roll-out of multidisciplinary teams specifically. I know that his commitment has been unwavering, and I am not just bigging him up so that he compliments me in his remarks.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. It strengthens the argument about how we need to see that roll-out across all areas so that everybody can access the full range of services on an equal basis. The people of Fermanagh are just as entitled to that as the people of Down. <BR /> <BR />It leaves us in a situation in which our health is affected by where we are born, where we live and work, and our age. When there is an imbalance in the distribution of resources and services, we see that imbalance in health outcomes. As a result, those living in areas of greater deprivation are often at risk of suffering from poor health outcomes. General practice is ideally placed to help to counter that and address the imbalance. <BR /> <BR />Be under no illusion: contrary to what some said yesterday, the SDLP is not criticising for the sake of it.”
“Of the 17 GP federations across Northern Ireland, only one — the Down federation — has had a full complement of MDTs since the inception of this new way of delivering care. That is not because it is my local area, I promise, but we have supported the moves to deliver MDTs. I have been proud to host in the Down area the pilot for across the North. It is distinctly worrying that 10 of the 17 GP federation areas in the North have no MDTs at all. That creates the unintended consequences that I mentioned: the creation of health inequalities.”
“There is no doubt that, where multidisciplinary teams have been implemented fully, successful health outcomes have followed. I see it in the Down area in practices where MDTs have been fully implemented. I have been lucky to visit some of the MDT practices in my community to see the benefits not just for the patients who go to them but for the staff who work in those units. <BR /> <BR />MDTs establish a truly holistic way of delivering primary care. With the development of modern technology, the ideal is that members of the public will find it easier to book an appointment with their local practice and get the right care at the right time. That is the ideal, but the present reality is different. Partial implementation of MDTs across the North has resulted in unintended consequences by creating new health inequalities.”
“On top of the operational change, we have witnessed an incredibly turbulent time for those working in primary care, which only intensified with the emergence of COVID-19. As a result, over time, we have seen a fresh focus, though perhaps not enough of a focus, on prevention and health promotion, and a reorientation of the health system away from treatment solely in hospitals towards the delivery of care in the right place for the patient. That can often be in the community or, as we are seeing even more now, at home. <BR /> <BR />Multidisciplinary teams have emerged out of that focus. This new way of delivering primary care brings together GPs, pharmacists, district nurses, health visitors, allied health professionals, social workers, advanced nurse practitioners, physician associates and others.”
“Those words formed part of Professor Bengoa's report eight years ago, and, prophetically, I believe that they have come to pass. We are seeing the collapse of multiple services and increasing waiting lists across the health sector. It is a deeply worrying time. The extreme pressures that we face are evidenced most clearly in primary care. The motion is an important opportunity for us to discuss these issues. The amendment that the SDLP is proposing is a minor one that we believe complements and strengthens the DUP motion. The focus of our amendment is to shine a spotlight on the importance of the multidisciplinary teams. The provision of MDTs was an outworking of the Bengoa report in 2016 and was first piloted in Down and Derry in 2018. <BR /> <BR />Primary care in the North has undergone significant operational change in a short time.”
“Obviously, all of those measures are welcome and help to allay the fears of parents and children as they go to and from school. Has the Minister given any consideration to the introduction of School Streets schemes, which could help with some of the most intense problems, such as the one at Edward Street in Downpatrick, where parents bring children to Our Lady and St Patrick Primary School?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. It is 93 paragraphs of a superabundance of areas of operational responsibility. You never duck any questions that are asked on statements or at Question Time, which is welcome. In paragraph 20, you reference improving water quality across Northern Ireland. Will you enable your officials in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to work with me and the Loughinisland anglers to divert a Northern Ireland Water outflow pipe from a sewage plant? It runs into the lake and is potentially impacting on the fish stock. Can the NIEA help us with that?”
“I am sure that he will see the news as the culmination of his work over the years. <BR /> <BR />The most important people to thank are the tireless community representatives — the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network — who have worked over generations to keep the project on the political agenda and keep it alive to ensure that it will be delivered. Without their efforts and commitment on the ground, the project would not have been delivered. There is massive potential for tourism and hospitality throughout south Down and the Cooley peninsula that can be maximised in the years ahead. That will bring prosperity to our area. It is an exciting day. The people of south Down are exceptionally happy. We welcome the work of everyone to deliver that project.”
“I think of a number of my party representatives who worked exceptionally hard, going back 30 or more years, to try to deliver it. That gives you a sense of how long the people of south Down have had to wait for investment, and then we do not get it from this Executive. <BR /> <BR />I particularly want to thank my colleagues the late Eddie McGrady and PJ Bradley, Councillor Declan McAteer, Sinéad Bradley, Margaret Ritchie and Karen McKevitt. Those are all individuals who had elected office over the years and worked their hardest to try to deliver the bridge. I also thank Colum Eastwood, our party leader, who worked tirelessly with successive Taoisigh to help to deliver the Shared Ireland unit, which is where the funding is coming from to deliver the project. I also thank the Louth TD Fergus O'Dowd, who will step down this year.”
“I welcome the news about the €60 million contract that has been awarded for the construction of Narrow Water bridge. The fact that we have multiple representatives speaking about it in the Chamber today shows not only how important it is to the people of south Down but how neglected south Down has been for many years by Executives when it came to prioritising funding for our community. Therefore, we are very excited to hear the news that there will be a huge investment, albeit mostly from Dublin. <BR /> <BR />The work is due to commence in a few short weeks, and it is hoped that the bridge will be completed by 2027. The delivery has been achieved only through the tenacity and commitment of many people in the south Down community.”
“We are not talking about something that will have a minimal impact. If we are going to support those crucial businesses in our constituencies, we need to think big in the North as well. We argue that that starts by bringing forward a costed package of interventions, including those relating to the devolution of VAT for hospitality.”
“I echo my constituency colleague's remarks about how it makes sense for businesses close to the border to have a level playing field when it comes to their outgoings. <BR /> <BR />The cost of such an intervention will be debated, and our motion calls for options to be brought forward alongside a wider tourism and hospitality support package. However, harmonising VAT levels across the island will provide the boost that businesses need, particularly those in the hospitality and tourism sectors, which have been absolutely hammered by the cost increases over the past years. In fact, Joe Dolan — the other one, I think — the chief executive of the Irish Hotel Federation, called the South's reduction in VAT:”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to speak about the VAT differential and how it creates an imbalance North and South and to give a contribution from a few of the sectors. Colin Neill from Hospitality Ulster, whom we all know, has said that we suffer not only from having one of the highest hospitality VAT rates in western Europe but from the proximity of the Republic, with which we share a border, which creates a significant disadvantage on our doorstep. Similarly, the Federation of Small Businesses has made the extension of the reduced rate of VAT one of its key asks of the Treasury. Parties from across the House have called for the reduction in VAT in the debate, with many pointing towards how a reduction in VAT in the North could level the playing field between businesses North and South.”
“I will quickly make a few remarks. I was not intending to speak in the debate, and any suggestions that my remarks look like the ones that Sinéad did not get the chance to make are entirely scurrilous. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate being able to take part in the debate. One of the best things about it is that nearly half of the contributors have, dare I say. slagged off the Opposition for tabling the motion but ended their contribution by saying, "We are entirely up for supporting it, because we think it is such a good idea". If you are going to dismiss our having taken the opportunity to table the motion, you should have the courage to vote against it and to go back and tell the hospitality and tourism industry in your constituency that you are not supporting it. I am confident that we can look forward to full support for our motion.”
“I thank the Minister. Given that there is a bit of extra time, will some engagement take place with counterpart Ministers in the South to ensure that the schemes are equal, so that we can avoid a lot of the confusion from having a different scheme on either side of the border?”
“What does the deputy First Minister have to say to my constituents who have unwanted flags flying outside their homes for the whole summer? Will she commit to including a legal framework for removing those flags in the Programme for Government, whether we get it this summer or not?”
“In my local newspapers, I see Executive party representatives demanding everything in the area, including the full restoration of everything in our local hospital, yet they know that they do not have the money to deliver on that. <BR /> <BR />In 100 days, we will be at the tail end of August, with children preparing to go back to school. What do the Executive say to parents who are trying to sort out their childcare? What do the Executive say to the public-sector workers trying to afford school uniforms? What do the Executive say to the working families across the North whose children need a special educational needs placement? The public should not have to wait a single day longer. Delivery aside, it is time for some answers from the Executive.”
“When that became apparent, the SDLP left those discussions because it would not have been proper for an Opposition party to be part of the Budget discussions. It is not the job of the Opposition to do the Executive's work for them. Yet, here we are today, doing just that. We have laid bare the issues that the Executive parties promised on. They promised delivery for parents, public-sector workers — all of them — and working families across the North. To date, they have failed to deliver on their promises. <BR /> <BR />Who is to blame? Well, it must be the Tories' fault, because they have not given us enough money. Yet, in the last 100 days, Executive parties have collectively racked up a bill of £1·5 billion in the motions that they have proposed.”
“However, there is a point when the Executive must park the photo ops and get on with the job of delivering, serving the public and meeting their aspirations and ideals. <BR /> <BR />Just over two years ago, the four Executive parties set out their priorities in their manifestos: 'Build a Better Northern Ireland'; 'Together We Can'; 'Real Action on the Issues That Matter to You'; and 'Time for Real Change'. Is Northern Ireland any better after 100 days? "Together" — did you? Has there been any action on the issues that matter to the public or just the ones that matter to the Executive parties? Is it, "Time for Real Change", or has it been, "More of the same, and let's not be in a hurry"? <BR /> <BR />For two years, the Executive parties met, and we all believed that they were discussing the Budget and a Programme for Government.”
“Those are not my words but those of Emma Little-Pengelly, when she took up the role of deputy First Minister on 3 February. Those words show strong aspirations, great ideals and a collective spirit and willingness to work together for a shared outcome. That is exactly what the people of Northern Ireland need at this difficult time, when our politics have been stagnant for two years, we have just emerged from a deadly pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis remains in situ. There was just one thing missing from the contribution of any of the Executive parties: a plan, a road map to get us from A to B and help us to see those priorities being delivered. I will be the first to say that photo opportunities were important: people needed to see our Executive as a single unit.”
“Those are not my words but those of Michelle O'Neill, when she took up the role of First Minister on 3 February.”
“Surely we can teach the world what it is to overcome violence and become good neighbours. That is what we have experience of here. If we cannot even do that, what is it that we are doing here? I urge all Members to stand up for peace and for humanity, to join the call for an immediate ceasefire and to support our motion as presented today.”
“Reference was made to the other genocides taking place in other parts of the world, and that is correct, but the motion is about what is happening in Gaza. It has unique features that make it more relevant to people here. I suggest that Members are contacted more about Gaza than other disputes around the world. Another important thing is that, if we permit what is happening in Gaza, we give permission to the genocides that are taking place in other parts of the world.”
“We know that it took time. We know that it was and is a painful process. However, the pursuit of lasting peace is never easy, because, in that process, there has to be an acknowledgment of the hurt and pain that has been handed out. <BR /> <BR />We must see recognition of the state of Palestine. Only then can the people of the Middle East begin the process of becoming neighbours. Some have referenced that we have not acknowledged that Israel has a right to exist. We clearly state that there should be a two-state solution. It is implicit that the motion includes Israel. No one is saying that Israel should not have its place. Others said that we have ignored what Hamas has done. As I said, the text of the motion is clear, and I have stated that we do not support that.”
“If they want to avail themselves of healthcare, they often have to travel to another country to do so. Can any of us imagine if we were asked to live like that? <BR /> <BR />The deliberate killing of such a vast number of people from that nation and ethnic group, with the aim of destroying the nation, is the dictionary definition of genocide. It is not just something I am saying; it is the dictionary definition — go and check it. The definition is clear to see. <BR /> <BR />What about the solution? How are we to find peace? The first step must and can only be that we stop the killing. Someone has to step forward and interrupt the cycle of violence, otherwise, it will roll on and on. That today we can debate and discuss the matter is a testament to what can be achieved when we stop the cycle of violence, bloodshed and killing.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the text of the motion debated today concerns what has happened since 7 October, it is important to recognise that a genocide has been happening in Palestine over the past number of years. It has been a genocide — an ethnic cleansing on an unsurpassed scale. In the past 70 years, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian people have been dispossessed of their land, property, jobs and homes. The people forced to leave their homes and families have never been able to return. <BR /> <BR />Of the nine million Palestinians worldwide, only a small number still live in Palestine. Their lives are constricted and controlled by the Israeli Government. Walls have been built to keep Palestinians out. Their water and electric supply is restricted. If they want to enter Jerusalem, they must request a special permit.”
“They are children, but to some people in power, they are nothing more than collateral damage in a conflict that has been raging for hundreds of years. Their lives are gone, and that cannot be undone. <BR /> <BR />We do not support the actions of Hamas: that is written clearly in the motion. We do not agree with taking hostages or hiding behind women and children or international workers to achieve your aims. We do not agree with any of that, but likewise, we do not agree with the IDF's carpet bombing of schools and hospitals to achieve its aims. We do not agree with the murder of innocent women and children. Consequently, we do not agree with the United States earning $4 billion a year from exporting arms to Israel or the United Kingdom exporting nearly £600 million of arms since 2008.”
“What would happen if that were to happen here? What if we had woken up this morning and found out that five people from here had died as a result of actions that had taken place? There would be an outcry in the Chamber from all parties. Nobody would come in here to defend the actions of one or the other. If five civilians had lost their lives, there would be an outcry from everyone. Where is the outcry for the more than 35,000 people who have died as a result of Israel's bombardment since 7 October? Where is the outcry for the 14,000 children whose lives have been taken since 7 October? Do their lives not matter? Do they not breathe the same air as the rest of us? Do they not bleed the same blood as we do? Did their lives not have the same potential as the life of any child who was born in Northern Ireland?”
“<BR /> <BR />I listened to the debate, and I agree with most of the remarks made. Some were a little bit off the mark, while some were rather typical. The past 24 hours have been turbulent for the future of Palestine. We have heard that Hamas has accepted a deal negotiated by Egypt and Qatar that would allow for a 40-day ceasefire. We have heard that Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the deal falls short of Israel's wants, although one has to question what wants he is looking for. Is it the future of Israel, or are his actions about holding on to power and remaining as Prime Minister? <BR /> <BR />Amidst all of that, we have heard that, following Israel's overnight strikes against Rafah, five people have been killed. That is just overnight in one event that five civilians have been killed.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I begin by thanking all Members who participated for the way in which they contributed. They added to the conversation that we need to have, and this is an appropriate place in which to have it. It has been good to have those contributions in order to allow us to continue with the discussions. <BR /> <BR />The debate was not one for grandstanding, dog-whistling or making assumptions. One of the key underlying reasons for that is that, if we have learnt anything in the past 26 years here, it is that an agreed peace, imperfect though it may be, can be incredibly fragile. Peace has to be the ultimate goal. It can never be won by a military operation alone, or through violence or subjugation of another, but rather by negotiation, agreement and reconciliation.”
“I ask the Minister to use every effort to get a cross-Executive response to this. Farming is a business, and those businesspeople are suffering as a result of the flooding, yet other businesses were helped and assisted. It seems that farmers have been left to fall between the cracks. Will the Minister undertake to work with other Ministers to see whether we can help farmers?”
“I hope that the Minister is able to find out from the Department exactly what caused that and that lessons can be taken so that, when the will of the House is presented to any Department, the officials take it on board and implement it correctly. That will mean that we are not left with such a long delay, because, ultimately, it is the people — those who elect us and whom we serve — who are let down. The delay is too long, and, on the basis of the advice that we were given, implementation could have been done more quickly. On that basis, sadly, we cannot support the delaying Bill today.”
“When we get to delivery, however, it works out that, had the groundwork been done properly, we could have been updated on the fact that it was not simple to implement. We can complain about the delays, but it is entirely different to do so and then walk through to vote for those delays. There is an inconsistency there that does not make too much sense. <BR /> <BR />Whilst I kind of appreciate the Minister's predicament, the legislation has been poorly implemented by the Department. That is simply because of the fact that the wrong process was used, which resulted in a judicial review that was upheld. That added a full two-year delay to the implementation of the legislation. Had we run the processes properly, we would not need the two-year delay.”
“Of course, the general thrust of the Bill was that staff would get free car parking. However, when we get down into the detail, it feels as though that will not be the case; only some staff will get free car parking. There will be a lottery-type system with guidelines. That means that many staff will lose out and will not get access to free parking. Nor will they have the capacity to park at all at their places of work, which will bring significant difficulty for many of them. <BR /> <BR />As a result, I feel that the process has been a shambles. It shows what happens when people try to electioneer a few weeks before an election and curry favour with the electorate by making all sorts of promises.”
“We are where we are. We have got to the Final Stage of the Bill, and I have no doubt that it will progress today. I am disappointed that none of the suggestions that we made about speeding up the process was accepted. The news today is that a company has been appointed to make the installations. That speeds things up. There was an opportunity to implement a process in between times. There are still barriers on all the car parks that are likely to be oversubscribed. Some sort of control system could have been put in while we retrofitted the new technology. <BR /> <BR />The delay of two years is simply too much. The Bill was promised at the time of an election. It is simply not doing what it said that it would do. Patients will be let down as a result, as will staff. Every extra day that they have to pay is one too many.”
“I would love to see it be able to deliver locally that which it can deliver locally but also provide a much better system if it has to centralise it.”
“<BR /> <BR />I would like to see a greater road map for a transformation that we can be part of. The medical experts are out there, and it is critical that we listen to them. I sometimes worry, however, because, from what I remember them saying 20-odd years ago, if we were to talk about taking on board proper medical evidence about hospital services in Northern Ireland from those qualified to give it — I have said this before — we would end up with a super-duper hospital on stilts in Lough Neagh with six roads, one leading into each of the counties. Everybody would be able to access it, all the services would be under one roof and nobody would be at a deficit as a result. That, however, is not the reality. We are trying to retrofit the system that is there. I appreciate that the trust has its difficulties.”
“If we can get that sense of transformation, you know that you are losing service x but that it is going to be replaced nearby and is going to be a better service and you, in return, will also get something different in your area. In that way, we can keep patients and staff happy and keep the public on board. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, the process has been a little bit like others. We feel that the service is being closed down but that no accommodation has been made for additional traffic and car parking. We know that staff are being moved and are not necessarily that happy about it. We know that consultations can often be loaded — that is the nature of them — but people who go into such a process feel aggrieved if it does not go the way in which they want it to go.”
“<BR /> <BR />I understand and agree with the whole process of transformation. I am certainly supportive of transformation on a wider, greater, bigger basis, but we desperately need to see that road map. We need to know where we are going, because if we know where we are going, there is a better chance that people will get behind it and support it. When we look at an issue such as the closure of minor injury units, or the changes that there have been at other places such as Lagan Valley Hospital and Downe Hospital, we do not know what the overall road map is. We know just that we have services that are being taken away but do not know what it is going to be part of in the greater scheme of things. That is a challenge for the Department and the trust, but it is one that I would love to see them being able to stand up and do.”
“As I say, we have had plenty of experience of that. <BR /> <BR />I have some sympathy, I suppose, for the residents of Bangor, which is quite a distance away. Maybe slightly less sympathy for those in Newtownards because, when it comes to the removal of services from Downe Hospital, I would love if there were just four or five miles on a dual carriageway point-to-point to connect me from one service to the other. Where I can understand that there are difficulties in understanding this for people from Ards and Bangor is that the nature of this is minor injury units. The thing is, they can quite often be provided locally and quite close to where people are. It is that lack of understanding as to why you have to travel 10 miles or a number of miles to be able to get what are some of the most basic health interventions.”
“The beauty of an Adjournment debate is that you can never work out where it is going to go in the politics and messages that were previously relayed. <BR /> <BR />Obviously, I am not from the North Down and Ards area. I am part of the South Eastern Trust area, and I am just surprised that I am not here talking about closures to Downe Hospital, which has been the norm over the past 20 years when it comes to discussions about the South Eastern Trust. On this occasion, it is with relief for my area that we are talking about somewhere else. Maybe being just one step back from what is happening on the ground, and from maybe the more upcoming political agendas that there may be, I can understand and appreciate the difficulties of people not liking change. People do not like it when a service is closed and taken away.”
“On the back of the cross-party motion, will the Minister undertake to write again to the Ministers to get cross-party buy-in rather than have nothing? A small amount from each Department might allow this important role to be put in place, which is the crucial thing that we need to do.”
“I appreciate the position that the Minister is in. His stand against the Budget process last week was an indication of the financial position that we are all in, and I know that he did not make those comments lightly. It would be easy for us to stand here and say, "Isn't it terrible?" and, "Aren't the Tories horrible? They aren't giving us enough money," but cheap shots do not change the world. If we want the House to be effective and to start delivering positive outcomes for the public, we need a collective effort from our Executive to see whether, instead of working in silos, Ministers can work together, so that we can see services that are tailored to those with autism and that can be delivered in a way that makes the maximum impact in their lives.”
“We also know that many people with autism can experience meltdowns and sensory overload, and often face heightened levels of anxiety, transition planning and, regrettably, bullying. The support that they need is often bespoke. If we want to support those people, we need to see the publication of the new learning disability framework and its associated funding package and action plan. I ask the Minister to provide an update on that in his comments.”
“Thankfully, because I have strayed from my notes and have a few more pages yet. Yes, the independence of a reviewer would be crucial. <BR /> <BR />I want to highlight the issue of people who are unfairly impacted on when applying for the personal independence payment (PIP). They need to be able to get support to assist them through that process. It would have been great to have had an independent reviewer to assess what support and help was available, and how those could be strengthened and improved. That would have been the benefit of a reviewer — somebody constantly scanning to see how services and service delivery could be improved. <BR /> <BR />Whilst we know that autism is not a learning disability, around half of the people with autism may have a learning disability.”
“It is unacceptable that families are left to struggle and navigate their way through the assessment process for their children. We really should have a process that is much quicker to provide help and support for families when they are navigating the system. It is simply not good enough that we do not have the independent autism reviewer in post to oversee that road map, as is pointed out in the motion. <BR /> <BR />When I think of the autism reviewer, I think of the amount of time that we spent at Committee examining what the work and role of a reviewer would be, how we could tailor those to the interventions that a reviewer could provide, and even finding the title "reviewer" as opposed to "commissioner" or other title. There was a significant amount of work, but we felt that once we did that, it would be in motion.”