§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps have been taken to regulate the practice of overtime arrangements by radiographers.
§ Mr. EnnalsIn some hospitals emergency duties have been arranged so as to attract an unduly high level of payment and my accounting officer wrote to regional health authority chairmen last August asking them to examine the scope for economy. Their reports showed that in most places there was scope for improvement, which authorities were making. I am confident that all levels of NHS management now fully understand the problems, have tightened their procedure and will continue to watch carefully the cost of emergency work. I shall continue to keep the situation under review.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the proposed reduction in the number of places available for the training of radiographers.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe College of Radiographers and the Radiographers Board of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine recently advised schools of radiography to reduce their 1977 intake by about 30 per cent. following a survey undertaken by the college in January 1977, which showed that newly qualified radiographers were experiencing difficulties in obtaining NHS posts. Following discussions with representatives of NHS 107W management, I have asked that the intakes should be revised only after full consultation with health authorities so that regional manpower needs are properly taken into account. The position will be reviewed later this year.