Bethan helps launch cross party inquiry
2 December 2009
BETHAN Jenkins AM has helped to launch the first ever Welsh Assembly Cross Party Group Inquiry into muscle disease.
The inquiry is being undertaken by the Cross Party Group on Muscular Dystrophy and is being chaired by Dr Dai Lloyd AM. It will focus on crucial issues such as access to specialist multi-disciplinary care, funding of services and the role of care co-ordinators in the treatment of children and adults with muscle disease.
Assembly Members took the step after hearing from families abuot levels of specialist care for vulnerable patients in Wales.
Over the next six months, the Group will seek evidence from patients and their families, health and social care professionals, Local Health Boards across Wales, officials from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Department of Health, and professional bodies.
Commenting on the inquiry, Bethan said: “It is vital to ensure that all patients have access to timely specialist diagnosis, assessment, treatment and on-going care, especially people in rural areas where services are particularly inaccessible and inadequate.”
Robert Meadowcroft, Director of Policy at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: “We hope that the Welsh Assembly Government and NHS commissioners across Wales sit up and take note of the group’s forthcoming recommendations.”
The CPG is calling on interested parties to submit evidence by March 2010. In order to submit evidence, please visit www.muscular-dystrophy.org
