Plaid AM champions All Wales Access to vital Therapy Service for Children with Cerebral Palsy
30 July 2008
Regional Assembly Member Bethan Jenkins pledged to support the work of Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre, the Wales-wide charity which supports children with Cerebral Palsy, when she met with them at the National Assembly for Wales on 9th July.
Bobath’s Chair of Trustees, Gerwyn Thomas, Bethan Jenkins AM and Centre Director Jenny Carroll
Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales is a charity providing specialist physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech & language therapy for children with cerebral palsy. This supplements services available in the community. They treat children from all over Wales on the recommendation of their consulting paediatrician.
Disabled young people and their families from all over Wales were at the Assembly to spotlight the current inequitable funding arrangements for Bobath therapy services. Bobath activity in Wales is funded in part by contributions from Local Health Boards (LHBs), with the majority of funds being raised by Bobath’s fundraising team.
Speaking after meeting families who access Bobath, Bethan Jenkins AM said:
“I was pleased to be able to meet with families and the local team from Bobath when they visited the Assembly. They explained that there is currently no equity of funding from Local Health Boards. I was surprised to learn that although there are 44 families in my region who are registered to receive Bobath services, about 18 are on a waiting list because of insufficient funding.
“Following my meeting with Bobath, I am now going to write to the Local Health Boards to find out more about current funding levels. I am committed to helping disabled children in South West Wales to get access to the best therapy possible.”
Speaking during the event, Jenny Carroll, Director of Bobath in Wales, said,
“Disabled young people and their families came from across Wales to the Assembly to meet their elected representatives, and we’re glad Bethan Jenkins AM took time to meet with us. There are approximately 1800 children and young people in Wales with cerebral palsy and I’m pleased to work with her to ensure a level playing field across Wales for all of them.”
NOTES
CONTACT: for Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre, Cathy Rogers on 02920 522600
