Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Jeremy Hunt (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 13 March 2006 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Carers

Question: Given the vital role that the parents of severely disabled children play as carers, is the Minister worried that, according to a Mencap survey, 37 per cent. of such families have to deal with eight or more professionals from different services? Will she considering introducing a simpler system similar to that used in parts of Austria whereby families can be assessed and supported by a single integrated mobile support unit consisting of child doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists and information specialists, thus greatly reducing both bureaucracy and stress?

Answer: I welcome the hon. Gentleman to the Dispatch Box for his first contribution. I see that his Front-Bench colleagues also welcome him. The Austrian experience is particular to the Austrian environment, and I am always reluctant to assume that one can necessarily import a system from another country, because circumstances are different. The hon. Gentleman knows, I trust, that the Government are examining ways in which we can provide joined-up support for disabled people and reviewing our policies across the piece, to try to break down some of the silos created by local and national Government. That is why we have established the Office for Disability Issues, and why the Prime Minister's strategy unit report, which recommended a more cohesive and coherent approach to support for disabled people—children and adults—was so widely welcomed among the disability lobby.

Secondary information