PCT Cuts Will Hit Brent's Special Schools - Teather Tells Commons

5.42.50pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 2nd Feb 2007

Sarah Teather spent time shadowing teachers in Brent's Manor School

Sarah Teather, the Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, has used a debate in the House of Commons to speak up for special schools in Brent against Labour's ongoing programme of NHS cuts.

Last Summer, Sarah spent a day shadowing teachers at Manor School in Kensal Rise, and saw first hand the vital work that both teachers and health workers do with children with special educational needs.

Now, specialist educational provision looks to be the latest service hit by the Government's tPCT cuts. Essential medical services for Brent's special schools, such as school nurses and physiotherapists are set for the chop. This will have a devastating impact on disabled children, many of whom need round the clock medical care. Withdrawing this care will place further unacceptable burdens on Brent teachers and carers.

The PCT have already reduced occupational therapy provision to special schools. Now speech and language therapy, music therapy for autistic children, and mental health services have also been proposed for cuts.

Brent Council have said that these services make a real difference to the lives of young people with a learning disability, and are joining local MP Sarah Teather in fighting the cuts imposed on them by the tPCT.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

'I was stunned to hear that the tPCT consider it acceptable to withdraw medical provision for children with disabilities. It is completely unacceptable that disabled children in Brent are the latest to be hit by this Government's chronic mismanagement of our local NHS.

'When shadowing teachers at Manor School this Summer I saw first hand how medical assistance from nurses and physiotherapists is vital to these children's health and happiness. Teachers and carers are already desperately overstretched.

'Therapy for young autistic children who may have social and communication problems is absolutely vital. These services can turn around a young person's life chances. The Government is letting down disabled children in Brent, and the effects will last a generation.

'I raised these damning cuts in the House of Commons today, and will continue lobbying the Government to safeguard medical provision in Brent's special schools. Children with disabilities urgently need our protection.'

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Read Sarah's speech to parliament in full.