§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the establishment figures as well as the actual figures of qualified health visitors for each area health authority; if he is satisfied with each establishment; if he will indicate any help or advice he is giving to overcome any shortfall; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThere are no establishment figures laid down for health visitors. The target, however, for health visitor staffing has been set by the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland at 609 for the Province. The table below shows the target and staff-in-post figures at 30 September 1980, a total shortfall of 133 throughout Northern Ireland.
Board Health Visitors in Post Target Shortfall Eastern 206 265 59 Northern 101 142 41 Southern 101 105 4 Western 68 97 29 Total 476 609 133 The number of places on the health visitor training course at the Ulster Polytechnic was increased from 30 to 45 in 1978 and an additional course with an intake of 15 students was introduced at the New University of Ulster in September 1980. These should enable the objective to be met within the next few years.