Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department will take steps to work with the Lead Ministers for Disability to help ensure disabled children receive specialist equipment in a timely manner.

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024, the Minister for Social Security and Disability announced new Lead Ministers for Disability in every Government department. I am the Lead Minister for Disability for the Department of Health and Social Care.

The Lead Ministers for Disability will break down barriers to opportunity across the Government’s long-term missions. They will meet regularly to make sure that the Government is delivering on the commitment to put the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of everything we do, right across every department.

The Government is committed to ensuring that all children, including children with special educational needs and disability, receive the support they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with NHS England and the Department for Education to achieve this.