Question reference: S5W-26220
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 6 November 2019
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 November 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the investment in and delivery of targeted training to improve the understanding of autism across the health and social care workforce, in line with the Autism Training Framework detailed in the Scottish Strategy for Autism 2018-2021.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to improving the lives of autistic people in Scotland. We are committed to implementing the priorities as laid out in the refreshed Scottish Strategy for Autism Outcomes and Priorities 2018-2021.
Since 2013-14 the Scottish Government has provided funding of £671,000 to NHS Education for Scotland to support Autism Training resources for NHS professionals.
In 2014 NHS Education for Scotland published Optimising Outcomes: A framework for all staff working with people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, their families and carers . This highlights that training should be appropriately given to health care staff depending on the level of knowledge and expertise demanded by their role.
We continue to commission NHS Education Scotland to engage with NHS Boards on the Autism Training Framework and work continues with a knowledge hub available to all NHS staff ensuring they have the appropriate knowledge of autism relevant to their role. This work is led by a small dedicated team. The team are planning to deliver further training in assessment and diagnostic tools early in 2020.