HC Deb 09 May 1966 vol 728 cc10-1
29. Mr. Braine

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to remedy the shortage of fully qualified electroencephalograph technicians in the National Health Service.

Mr. K. Robinson

Hospital authorities are responsible for recruitment. My Department has given advice to them on the organisation and content of training courses and distributes career literature. Total numbers continue to increase steadily, and I am not aware of a general shortage.

Mr. Braine

But the Minister is aware that there is general dissatisfaction among medical auxiliaries, especially electroencephalograph technicians. Is he aware that these are among new categories of skilled workers not even properly represented on the Whitley Council machinery? Will he conduct a survey to see what improvements in pay structure and career structure can be introduced for these people?

Mr. Robinson

I do not think that a survey of this kind is called for in this instance. This group, which is a small group, received an 11.2 per cent. overall increase in August, 1963, a 3 per cent. increase in August, 1964, and a 3 per cent. increase in August, 1965. The numbers have increased from 119 in 1961 to 160 in 1964 and 172 last year.