HC Deb 19 May 1975 vol 892 cc267-9W
Mr. Cyril Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to increase the number of places made available in training schools for paramedical and community dental staff.

Mr. Alec Jones

For some professions, for example, orthoptists, radiographers and dietitians, the existing schools appear to provide sufficient places for those seeking training. For some of the other professions provision has been increased in the last year or so. A new degree course for speech therapists has started at Manchester University, and in Coventry the number of places for physiotherapy students has been doubled. There are plans to increase other facilities later this year. A new chiropody school is to open in Durham, and there will be another degree course for speech therapists at Reading University and an increase in student physiotherapy places at Salford.

Following approaches from my Department, some schools for dental hygientists have agreed to increase the number of places, and Service schools have agreed to take civilian students. Dental hospitals without such schools are being encouraged to start them and University College Hospital has already submitted proposals.

The provision of training facilities for these professions is kept under constant review and numbers will be increased as necessary within the resources available.

Mr. Cyril Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to make available direct grants to students who are not paid during their training and who are intending to make a career as paramedical and community dental staff.

Mr. Alec Jones

My Department does in fact make grants to students undergoing training as physiotherapists, radiographers, orthoptists, remedial gymnasts, dental auxiliaries and dental hygientists. Local education authorities are responsible for supporting students in the professions of chiropody, dietetics, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Grants by local education authorities and by my Department are calculated on the basis of the Awards (First Degree, etc, Courses) Regulations.

A co-ordinating committee which was recently set up representative of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and remedial gymnasts is currently considering the implementation of the recommendations included in the McMillan Report, one of which suggested the rationalisation of the grants system in these professions.

Mr. Cyril Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to establish regional training colleges for students specifically wishing to make a career in para-medical services, community dental services and pharmaceutical services.

Mr. Alec Jones

The needs of some of these professions are insufficient to justify the provision of training facilities in each region. Training facilities for other professions already exist in one or more centres in each region. Student pharmacy technicians are normally employed in pharmacies and attend courses at further education establishments usually on a day-release basis.

The possibility of combined training facilities catering for more than one profession is under consideration, and one or two pilot schemes are already in being. In this regard my Department works closely with the Department of Education and Science, various further education establishments and with the professional bodies concerned.

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