MEDIA RELEASE
Report tabled into fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Mr Johnathan Davis, Chair of the Assembly’s Health and Community Wellbeing Committee, yesterday tabled a report into ACT health programs for children and young people, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
The disorder occurs when a fetus is exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. It results in a range of birth defects and impairments and is a lifelong condition with no cure. Many cases are not diagnosed.
The Committee made 14 recommendations, including that the ACT Government:
- improve early detection of disability in the ACT, including establishing these services for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder;
- establish measures to address shortcomings in FASD screening and diagnosis to determine the prevalence of the disorder in the ACT;
- advocate for easier access to NDIS for people with the disorder; and
- provide more resourcing to the alcohol and other drug sector that would support them to conduct more community education and awareness campaigns.
The Committee Chair, Mr Johnathan Davis, said “Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is preventable. The Committee strongly encourages the ACT Government to do more to raise awareness of the condition and invest in suitable programs to detect and manage the disorder.”
The report is available at: https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/recent-reports
Under the Assembly’s standing orders, the ACT Government is required to table its response to the report within four months.
6 May 2022
STATEMENT ENDS.
For further information, please contact:
Committee Chair, Mr Johnathan Davis MLA, on (02) 6205 0051
Committee Secretary on (02) 6205 0129 or at LACommitteeHCW@parliament.act.gov.au