§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many midwifery tutors are currently employed by each area health authority; and what is the shortage in each case.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe latest year for which complete information on midwifery tutors employed by area health authorities is available is 1979. As the figures are extremely lengthy, I am placing copies in the Library. Information about shortage of midwifery tutors in area health authorities is not collected centrally. If the hon. Member is concerned about any particular authorities, I suggest that she approach those authorities, which may be able to help.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to increase the numbers of midwifery tutors; if he is satisfied with the current numbers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergArrangements have been introduced from 1981–82 for the central funding of midwife teacher training. At present, this funding is designed to provide training places for 70 student midwife teachers each year.
The first year of the central funding has coincided with the introduction of both the requirement to take the advanced diploma as the professional pre-requisite to taking the course and the introduction of a new course format. Moreover, in some cases it has not been possible to set up the new course in time for health authorities to release potential students to begin training in the current year. These factors have led to a reduction of available course places and only 32 teacher students will be undertaking this course in the current academic year. We expect the numbers to increase substantially in 1982–83 and thereafter.