Cerebral Palsy: Adult Care Transition

Opened the debate

MP Paul Maynard raised awareness of cerebral palsy, emphasising its under-representation in public discourse. He discussed the lack of a condition-specific charity until recently and highlighted the importance of transition planning for individuals with cerebral palsy from childhood to adulthood. The speech covered issues such as fragmented legislative frameworks, individualised needs assessment, and the necessity of dedicated lead professionals and budgets. Maynard also stressed the need for multi-disciplinary regional hubs and comprehensive healthcare transition pathways. He cited specific challenges like assistive technology funding and the importance of ATech in supporting those with cerebral palsy. The speech concluded by urging the government to address these issues through policy reform, such as making cerebral palsy care a statutory obligation for integrated care boards.

Government Response

Minister Helen Whately acknowledged MP Paul Maynard's personal experience and dedication to raising awareness of cerebral palsy. She praised the APPG on Cerebral Palsy for its report, which includes recommendations relevant to health care transitions. Whately assured that NICE guidance exists for transition from child to adult services but noted variations in implementation across regions. The NHS Long-term Plan aims to provide person-centred care rather than age-based transitions, and NHS England is working on developing resources to support these pathways. Whately mentioned progress on personal health budgets and the importance of the cerebral palsy integrated pathway database for tracking patients' needs. She committed to further investigating recommendations from the APPG report and promised a more detailed response in due course.