HC Deb 12 December 1972 vol 848 cc67-8W
10. Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many home helps are now employed by local health authorities; and how far this number falls short of his estimate of the overall requirements.

Mr. Alison

At 30th September 1971, the latest date for which figures are available, the equivalent of 31,492 full-time home helps were employed by English local authorities. The survey of the home help service carried out by the Government Social Survey in 1967 suggested the need for expansion of the service to between two and three times its size, and my right hon. Friend has suggested to local authorities that they plan on this basis over the next 10 years.

39. Mr. Money

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many home nurses are now employed by local health authorities; and how far this number falls short of his estimate of overall requirements.

42. Mr. Idris Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many health visitors are now employed by local health authorities, and how far this number falls short of his estimate of the overall requirement.

Mr. Alison

Returns from local health authorities indicate that some 9,000 home nurses and 6,000 health visitors in whole-time equivalents were employed by them in England in 1971. These figures compare with target estimates of between 11,500 and 18,500 for home nurses, and between 10,000 and 15,400 for health visitors, suggested to authorities earlier this year.

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