§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hearing therapists have been fully trained; how many are being trained at present; and what are the future plans.
§ Mr. Newton54 hearing therapists have completed their training and 10 are on the present course at the City Literary Institute. The National Health Service Training Authority has asked health authorities to nominate candidates for the next course and interviews are to be held next month.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present cost of training hearing therapists; and what is the estimated cost for future training.
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§ Mr. NewtonThe present cost, which is not expected to increase greatly, is approximately £5,000 for each student.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to improve and expand the facilities for training hearing therapists; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe extent of future training will depend on the demand for hearing therapists by health authorities.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of deaf people who benefit from the care of hearing therapists; and what is his estimate of the numbers who will benefit in the next few years.
§ Mr. NewtonInformation is not held centrally about the case loads of individual hearing therapists and there are no accurate indications on which to base estimates of numbers who might benefit from their work.