What discussions has the Minister had with her counterparts in: (a) England; (b) Scotland; and (c) Northern Ireland regarding a UK-wide strategy to address levels of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the UK population?
Although there have been no direct discussions with Ministers in other administrations, Welsh Government recognises the impact of alcohol abuse on children, whether through having a parent who is alcohol dependent or the secondary conditions that come with FASD. Our Substance Misuse Delivery Plan 2019-22 sets out the work that we have put in place to tackle associated harms with substance misuse, which includes alcohol. We have increased investment to almost £64million annually on our substance misuse agenda.
All maternity units in Wales have adopted a ‘No alcohol, No risk’ approach to antenatal information given to all pregnant mothers. This has ensured a consistent message being given by midwives and reinforced by the launch of The Safer Pregnancy Wales campaign (2017) in collaboration with the Wales Maternity Network and 1000 Lives. This work primarily focussed on preventative measures while raising awareness within the Health Boards.
NICE updated their guideline on FASD in March 2022 and Welsh Government expects that health boards will apply this guideline when providing care for people with FASD.
The early identification and intervention of Additional Learning needs will help to ensure that learning difficulties such as that which arises from FASD can be supported at the right time with the right provision. This will help to limit the impact of these and other disorders on children and young people’s lives and to help ensure they have a fair and equal opportunity to achieve their potential.