(UK) Welsh parents 'despairing' over autism services; proposed bill to help is thrown out

Jan 20, 2019, South Wales Argus: Dismay as proposed autism bill is rejected https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/17371286.dismay-as-proposed-autism-bill-is-rejected/ A BILL which would have enshrined the rights of autistic people in Wales to services meeting their needs in law has been thrown out. The bill introduced by leader of the Assembly’s Welsh Conservative group was rejected by 28 votes to 24 on Tuesday after Labour AMs voted against it. Introducing the bill, which was developed alongside the National Autistic Society, Mr Davies said services for autistic people were “inconsistent across Wales and, in some areas, inadequate”. “Children and young people with autism aren't fulfilling their potential,” he said. “Parents are despairing because the services that they need aren't available. “We shouldn't still be in a situation where parents say that services aren't there and everything was a fight. “People with autism have waited long enough. “Urgent action is needed now to ensure that more support services are put in place.” … AMs heard a number of stories about people in Wales either with autism or with family members with the condition who felt services were not currently up to scratch, including some who had been forced to travel long distances for the support they needed. But health minister Vaughan Gething said, although it was recognised support for autistic people and their families should be improved, the Welsh Government was already developing a new statutory code for improving services. …