HC Deb 18 March 1987 vol 112 cc503-4W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the number of audiology technician posts in the National Health Service in each of the past five years; what is the current number of vacancies; and what changes there have been in the percentage of posts that are vacant over the last five years.

Mr. Major

Information on posts and on vacancies is not collected centrally. Numbers of physiological measurement technicians (audiology) in post for the five years to 1985 (the most recent year for which information is available) are as follows:

30 September Number
1981 760
1982 800
1983 790
1984 790
1985 780

Source: DHSS annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.

Note: All figures rounded to nearest 10 whole-time equivalents.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many audiological technicians have been trained in each of the last five years; what is the estimated turnover; and what steps are being taken to reduce it.

Mr. Major

Information on staff completing training, or on turnover of staff, is not collected centrally. The numbers of student physiological measurement technicians (audiology) in post for the five years to 1985 (the most recent year for which information is available) are as follows:

Staff in post in England—grades A and B
30 September Number
1981 210
1982 190
1983 150
1984 150
1985 140

Source: DHSS annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.

Note: All figures rounded to nearest 10 whole-time equivalents.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recommendations his Department has issued on the desirable number of audiological technicians per million population; and how many regions have achieved this recommended number.

Mr. Major

None. The number of technicians required is a matter for determination by the individual health authorities.

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