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MCGIMPSEY ANNOUNCES SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY TASK FORCE REPORT

Thursday 3 July 2008

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today announced the findings of the Speech & Language Therapy Task Force.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today announced the findings of the Speech & Language Therapy Task Force.

The Task Force report emphasises the need for better partnership and collaborative working between health and education professionals to support the early identification of children's needs and to secure better outcomes for them.

It also recommends that other people, including parents, are trained to understand speech and language therapy needs and are provided with more information about the services available.

The minister said: "I welcome the completion of this report and I intend to set up a working group to address the recommendations as a matter of urgency.

"I am determined that children across Northern Ireland should have access to the same speech and language therapy services which should be delivered according to best practice.

"Many initiatives which I have already taken forward have moved the service in the direction set out in the report. These include the improvements in waiting times for Allied Health Professionals, which have been reduced to less than 26 weeks, and which will be further reduced to 13 weeks next year."

He added: "I would like to pay tribute to the late Pamela Hannigan who initiated this work, and thank Alison McCullough who stepped in to carry the review to its conclusion.

"I would also like to recognise the valuable contribution made by the parents and representatives of voluntary groups who were on the Task Force."

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