HC Deb 02 May 2002 vol 384 cc1006-7W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there were for(a) occupational therapists, (b) physiotherapists and (c) speech and language therapists in each NHS region in each year from 1997. [53473]

Mr. Hutton

Between 1999 and 2001 there have been increases in the number of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists of:

  • 1,250 (10 per cent.) occupational therapists
  • 1,140 (7.75 per cent.) physiotherapists
  • 400 (8 per cent.) speech and language therapists.

The information requested on vacancies has been placed in the Library. The Department did not collect vacancy information in 1997 or 1998.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) occupational therapists, (b) physiotherapists and (c) speech and language therapists were employed in the NHS in each NHS region in each year since 1997. [53471]

Mr. Hutton

The information requested is shown in the table.

Overall between 1997 and 2001 the number of

  • occupational therapists has increased by 2,390 (20 per cent.)
  • physiotherapists has increased by 1,970 (14 per cent.)
  • speech and language therapists has increased by 810 (16 per cent.).

NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): qualified

scientific, therapeutic and technical staff within the specified areas

of work and NHS regional office areas as at 30 September each year
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Occupational therapists 11,520 11,980 12,660 13,130 13,910
Northern and Yorkshire 1,390 1,430 1,550 1,640 1,750
Trent 1,260 1,310 1,400 1,420 1,580
West Midlands 1,050 1,150 1,220 1,260 1,340
NorthWest 1,490 1,540 1,620 1,710 1,820
Eastern 1,090 1,150 1,210 1,270 1,410
London 1,670 1,760 1,870 1,940 2,000
South East 2,050 2,070 2,150 2,190 2,340
SouthWest 1,410 1,460 1,540 1,590 1,680
Others 100 90 100 100 0
Physiotherapists 14,240 14,700 15,070 15,610 16,210
Northern and Yorkshire 1,970 2,000 2,070 2,120 2,270
Trent 1,450 1,530 1,570 1,610 1,600
West Midlands 1,580 1,630 1,670 1,740 1,750
North West 2,070 2,150 2,170 2,280 2,360
Eastern 1,170 1,220 1,270 1,300 1,400
London 2,030 2,120 2,230 2,300 2,320
South East 2,350 2,390 2,420 2,480 2,670
SouthWest 1,620 1,660 1,680 1,790 1,850

NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): qualified

scientific, therapeutic and technical staff within the specified areas

of work and NHS regional office areas as at 30 September each year
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Speech and language therapists 4,870 5,030 5,180 5,430 5,680
Northern and Yorkshire 570 570 600 640 690
Trent 500 480 460 530 520
West Midlands 510 540 540 570 580
North West 660 690 700 750 730
Eastern 410 450 460 500 510
London 840 910 960 960 1,020
South East 890 880 920 950 1,060
South West 490 500 540 530 570
Others1 2— 2— 2— 2— 2—
1 Others include special health authorities and other statutory bodies
2 Five or less and greater than zero

Notes:

1. Due to the new regional office boundaries in 1999 the 1997 and 1998 figures are estimated regional splits

2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

Source:

Department of Health non-medical workforce census