Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Wood and Caroline Dinenage

Tuesday 29th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Dinenage]

I suppose I should probably have declared an interest in this issue, because I am severely asthmatic and I do not get free prescriptions, but then again I do not think I should. There is a prescription exemption system designed specifically to assist people who are most likely to need support in paying for prescriptions: people on low incomes or in full-time education; the over-60s; people living with many long-term conditions; and people with an increased risk of illness, such as pregnant women. That is why 89% of prescriptions are dispensed without charge.

[Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)]

10. What steps he is taking to improve cancer (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Wood and Caroline Dinenage

Tuesday 15th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Alex Burghart (Brentwood and Ongar) (Con)]

24. What steps he is taking to increase support for people with autism and learning disabilities.

[The Minister for Care (Caroline Dinenage)]

Autism and learning disabilities are clinical priorities in the NHS long-term plan. We are committed to improving the quality of care provided to people with a learning disability or autism and to addressing the persistent health inequalities they face.

[Mike Wood]

I thank the Minister for her response. The commitment to reducing diagnosis waiting times for children and young people is welcome, but what are the Government doing in this 10th anniversary year of the Autism Act 2009 to tackle diagnosis waiting times for all people?

[Caroline Dinenage]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his active involvement in the all-party parliamentary groups on learning disability and on autism. Over the next three years, we will be testing and implementing the most effective ways to reduce waiting times for specialist services. We are developing guidance to support commissioners to develop the necessary services to support all autistic people, and we have launched a review of our autism strategy.