Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine has supported Robert Buckland's Ten Minute Rule Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 24th May.
The Bill would require the Secretary of State for Health to make a referral to the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop and publish Quality Standards for autism spectrum disorders.
The Quality Standard will give local commissioners and health practitioners guidance on how to improve the quality and value for money of services in their area. It will also ensure that people with autism are at the heart of the services they use and make the NHS and Local Authorities more accountable and transparent.
Steve is vice-chair of the All-Party Group on Autism, and last week spoke up for local families in the House (here). He said: "I hope the production of a quality standard on autism will help achieve the Government's ambition on delivering the best possible outcomes for people with autism, their families and their carers.
"With the development of the three NICE guidelines autism ongoing and the publication of the adult autism strategy, in March last year, and statutory guidance back in December there is the real prospect that we can start to improve the outcomes for this vulnerable group and address longstanding health and service inequalities."