§ 71. Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate the number of representations which he has received up to the latest convenient date about physiotherapists employed in the National Health Service; how they are graded; and what progress he is able to report since detailed proposals were submitted to the Management Side of Whitley Council in November 1970.
§ Sir K. JosephSince the staff side secretary of the Whitley Council wrote to me at the end of September about the current discussions on grading structures, I have received about 300 letters, for the most part enclosing copies of a stock letter on the subject. The discussions are concerned with the structure of eight professions in all, and substantial agreement has been reached in some cases.
The existing grading of physiotherapists is as follows:
Physiotherapists
Definition of grades
(a) Physiotherapist
A physiotherapist working under the supervision of a Senior or Superintendent Physiotherapist.
84W(b) Senior Physiotherapist
A physiotherapist with not less than three years' experience as a physiotherapist after qualification
- (i) working single-handed (i.e. not working under the supervision of a Senior Superintendent), or
- (ii) in charge of one physiotherapist in the basic grade, or
- (iii) in charge of a clearly defined division within a large physiotherapy department and carrying responsibilities greater than those of the basic grade.
(c) Superintendent Physiotherapist I
In charge of two or three physiotherapists in the basic grade.
(d) Superintendent Physiotherapist II
In charge of four or eight physiotherapists
(e) Superintendent Physiotherapist III
In charge of nine to thirteen physiotherapists.
(f) Superintendent Physiotherapist IV
In charge of fourteen to nineteen physic) therapists.
(g) Superintendent Physiotherapist V
In charge of twenty or more physio therapists.
(h) Assistant Superintendent Physiotherapist
A physiotherapist appointed as Assistant Superintendent Physiotherapist in a department with at least six physiotherapists in addition to the Superintendent. There can be only one such post under the Superintendent Physiotherapist.
I Where there are six to thirteen physiotherapists in addition to the Superintendent Physiotherapist.
II Where there are fourteen or more physiotherapists in addition to the Superintendent Physiotherapist.
Teachers in Training Schools for Physiotherapists
(i) Student Teacher
A physiotherapist who is training for a teaching diploma of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
A Student Teacher should be placed on this scale at the salary point equal to his present salary or if there is no such point the point next above his existing salary—subject to the maximum of the Student Teacher scale not being exceeded.
(j) Teacher
A physiotherapist who holds a teaching diploma of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy employed on teaching in a training school for physiotherapists.
(k) Assistant Principal
A physiotherapist teacher appointed as Assistant Principal in a training school for physiotherapists. There can be only one such post in any school.
85W(l) Principal I
The head teacher in a training school for physiotherapists with an average annual intake of 10 to 24 students.
(m) Principal II
The head teacher in a training school for physiotherapists with an average annual intake of 25 or more students.
For Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent Physiotherapist posts at least three years' professional experience as a physiotherapist after qualification is essential.
§ 72. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further Whitley Council discussions have taken place since 14th November on proposed changes in the grading structure of the remedial professions; and what was the outcome of the discussions.
§ Mr. AlisonI understand that discussions have continued between the joint secretaries in considering what useful progress might be made pending guidance on the next stage of the Government's programme for controlling inflation.
§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now take steps to speed up the current negotiations on a revised career grading structure in the National Health Service for members of the remedial professions in the light of the present unsatisfactory position.
§ Mr. AlisonProgress of discussions is a matter for the Whitley Council with regard to the Government's White Paper, Cmnd. 5125.
§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many meetings of the Whitley Council have taken place this year when proposals to revise the career grading structure for members of the remedial professions within the National Health Service have been discussed.
§ Mr. AlisonI would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Whitlock) on 21st November.—[Vol. 846, c.351–2.]