§ Mr. Whitlockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated number of speech therapists required within the Nottinghamshire Area Health Authority to cater for the special needs of the area, the demands from schools for services to children with speech defects, and for early diagnosis and treatment of speech and language disorders in the pre-school stages; and how many are currently employed.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAs there are no generally accepted staffing standards for speech therapists it is difficult to quantify the need. The Nottinghamshire Area Health Authority at present employs 17.4 speech therapists—whole-time equivalent—and would like to employ a further 4.8—whole-time equivalent—if they were available. It is not possible to say how much of their time is allocated to the services mentioned.