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Adult Cerebral Palsy: National Service Specification
10 March 2026
Lead MP
Daniel Francis
Bexleyheath and Crayford
Lab
Responding Minister
Stephen Kinnock
Tags
NHSTaxation
Word Count: 3581
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Daniel Francis raised concerns about adult cerebral palsy: national service specification in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I would welcome the Minister's response outlining how the commitment in the 10-year health plan can be achieved for adults with cerebral palsy and how a national service specification for adult cerebral palsy could be implemented within the 42 ICBs. I would also like the Minister to extend the quality and outcomes framework to incorporate the creation of general practice-level cerebral palsy registers and amend NHS staffing guidelines to include training for adults with cerebral palsy for those working in general medicine, general practice, and nursing from entry level. Additionally, I ask the Minister to look at ringfencing funding for the 42 ICBs to enable them to develop specialist cerebral palsy services.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Approximately 130,000 adults in the UK have cerebral palsy. There is clear evidence that specialist support stops at the age of 18, leaving many adults with little support for their health needs and day-to-day activities. The severity of cerebral palsy varies greatly, and many individuals have complex issues and elevated health risks. Adults with cerebral palsy are 14 times more likely to die from respiratory disease and three times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease. There is a significant decline in physical function and up to 50% of people with cerebral palsy experience deterioration in walking function between the ages of 20 and 40.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon congratulates the hon. Gentleman for securing the debate and highlights a study by Queen's University Belfast indicating that adults with cerebral palsy often struggle to access necessary health and rehabilitation services after transitioning from paediatric services. He suggests establishing a clear, coordinated transition pathway with dedicated case management to ensure that no one is left behind in their care.
Government Response
Stephen Kinnock
Government Response
It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Jardine. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford for securing this important debate. Adults with cerebral palsy make up a significant but often overlooked part of our population—around 130,000 people across the UK. Although cerebral palsy is a lifelong neurological condition, we frequently see well-structured, multidisciplinary paediatric care systems simply evaporating when people reach the age of 18. Adults are left navigating a fragmented system with no clear pathways, limited specialist input and inconsistent recognition of their needs. The updated neurology service specification ensures that cerebral palsy is embedded within a broader national framework, strengthening national expectations for adult cerebral palsy care. One of the most important ways we are strengthening support for adults with cerebral palsy is by improving awareness and understanding within primary care. The service specification now requires integrated care boards and specialist centres to work much more closely with GPs, strengthening communication and clarifying referral pathways so that primary care clinicians understand when an adult with cerebral palsy requires specialist review or escalation. NHS England's revised service specification for adult specialised neurology services, which was published in August last year and comes into effect next month, represents an important step forward in improving care for adults with cerebral palsy. It sets clear expectations for how people with lifelong neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy, should move between general practice, community services and specialist centres. The 10-year health plan will ensure that people with complex needs are supported to be active participants in their own care. As part of that, 95% of people with complex needs or long-term conditions will have an agreed personalised care plan by 2027. The 10-year health plan's focus on personalised and proactive care will support integrated care boards to improve access to reviews as part of a more consistent offer for adults with cerebral palsy. The plan will also ensure that no young person is lost in the gaps between children's and adult services, a point at which many families tell us that they feel most vulnerable. NHS England's children and young people transformation programme provides a clear nought-to-25 model of care to achieve that. For young people with cerebral palsy, that means earlier preparation for transition, co-ordinated support from a multidisciplinary network and clearer expectations for how professionals should plan and hand over care.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.