COPELAND'S MP Jamie Reed has called for more to be done surrounding the provision of care for children living with cerebral palsy.

Mr Reed has this week sponsored an event in parliament on behalf of Action Cerebral Palsy, for the launch of their new report, Variations in Care: An Analysis of Cerebral Palsy Provision .

Action Cerebral Palsy is a national consortium of specialist charities who work with children living with cerebral palsy and their families. The report provides the results and recommendations from ACP’s recent Freedom of Information report on the status of provision for children with cerebral palsy across the regions.

The report found that information on provision is often unavailable or limited, and that there is a variable provision across England.

ACP also found that between 2010/11 and 2015/16, 41 children and young people were diagnosed with cerebral palsy in Copeland, and that NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group does not have a care pathway for children with cerebral palsy, or a service framework.

Mr Reed said: “I am pleased to have been able to sponsor this important report launch.

“I support the recommendations made by Action Cerebral Palsy, which could significantly improve support for children living with cerebral palsy and their families.

Mr Reed spoke of his disappointment that the quality of care is so varied across the country.

He said: “It is disappointing that there is currently a lack of information available on provision, and clearly unacceptable variations in support and care available to children and their families across England.

“The government must now read this important report and take steps to implement its recommendations in full, by establishing standardised recording and a cerebral palsy register, clear guidance on engaging experts, enhanced programmes of training, and improved access to information”.