Speech and language commissioning proposals could end 'postcode lottery'

Proposals that would see augmentative and alternative communication services commissioned nationally, put forward by the Clinical Advisory Group for Prescribed Services, have received initial approval from ministers.

The plans will now be subject to a public consultation. If accepted, communication services and equipment for children with complex needs would be commissioned by the NHS Commissioning Board from April 2013.

Sandra Hartley, trustee for the charity Communication Matters, described the news as a “huge step forward”.

“If successful, we hope the change will mean that we no longer have a postcode lottery for provision,” she said. “We hope to see a seamless transition from childhood to adulthood in terms of service provision, as there will be a responsibility to deliver a service right through a person’s life.”

Communication Matters has been lobbying government to make sure that the provision of communication services and equipment improves under the NHS reforms.

The organisation favours a "hub and spoke" model, which would see the NHS Commissioning Board responsible for delivering ten per cent of communication services for those with the most complex needs, with the remaining 90 per cent commissioned by local health and wellbeing boards.

The system was developed by Jean Gross, the previous government's communication champion, who was appointed to the role following a review by MP John Bercow in 2008, which found children and young people with communication needs were missing out on support.  

Virginia Beardshaw, chief executive of children’s communication charity I Can, said the proposals would benefit pupils at the organisation’s specialist schools.
 
“This move to national commissioning is a real step forward for children with low-incidence, high-need speech, language and communication needs,” she said.

“However these arrangements will need to be supported by a commitment to ensuring local services work effectively in partnership with specialised services, social care and education to support children with communication difficulties so that they have the opportunity to participate fully in our society and don’t fall through the gaps.”