Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure both parents are equally consulted when a disabled child's care is considered.

The NHS Constitution states that NHS services must reflect and should be co-ordinated for and tailored to the needs and preferences of patients, their families and carers. Patients, with their families and carers, where appropriate, will be involved in and consulted on all decisions about their care and treatment. The ‘Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years: Statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities’, states that local authorities must ensure that children and their parents and young people are involved in discussions and decisions on individual support and about local provision. We are also proposing to introduce consistent standards, produced with children, young people and their families, to ensure engagement in the decision-making process on the support received.