§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services for what reason speech therapists will remain the only National Health Service profession without an appropriate professional structure after reorganisation; and if he will institute such a structure.
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§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe structure of speech therapy services within health districts is a matter for district health authorities to determine according to local needs and circumstances. Appropriate grading definitions for the most senior speech therapists are now being negotiated in the professional and technical 'A' Whitley council.
§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will increase the salaries of various speech therapists and other such grades to levels comparable with other National Health Service comparable professions.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe salaries of National Health Service speech therapists are negotiated by the professional and technical 'A' Whitley council and their relative level is a matter for that council. The Government have, however, decided that for 1982–83 additional funds of £4.9 million, above the general 4 per cent. pay factor, should be made available for the professions supplementary to medicine within the purview of the PT'A' council and for speech therapists.