§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the professional qualifications for hearing therapists which are recognised by the Department of Health and Social Services; and the institution offering appropriate training.
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 15 July 1991]: There are no formally recognised professional qualifications for hearing therapists. Persons appointed as hearing therapists are required to undertake an intensive one-year course of professional training. It is available at the City Lit Centre for the Deaf, Keeley house, Keeley street, London WC2B 4BA.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans he has to improve the therapy available to the hearing impaired in Northern Ireland;
(2) what plans he has to increase the number of hearing therapists employed within the Northern Ireland health service.
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 15 July 1991]: The management and delivery of services at local level are the responsibility of each health and social services board. Boards are expected to determine the level of service to be provided and the requisite number of staff to be employed and trained. In the draft regional strategic framework 1992–1997 issued recently for consultation, one of the objectives included asks that each board should identify the number and needs of sensorily impaired people living in its area and should ensure access to specialist teams of staff to provide support for hearing and for visually impaired people.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hearing therapists are employed within the Northern Ireland health service.
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 15 July 1991]: There are two, one based in the Royal group of hospitals and one at the Craigavon area hospital.