§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the increase in the numbers of mentally ill and mentally handicapped people being visited by health visitors, what training programmes are in operation to equip health visitors for this type of work.
§ Mr. DeakinsPreparation for these aspects of health visitors' work is included in the training course leading to the health visitor's certificate. Increased emphasis was placed on these subjects in the revised syllabus introduced in 1965. In addition, provision is made in the programes of refresher courses, which are particularly directed to health visitors who have been qualified for some time, for courses dealing with problems of mental illness and mental handicap.
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§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mentally ill and mentally handicapped persons have been visited by health visitors in 1967, 1973, 1974, 1975 and to the latest available date.
§ Dr. OwenI regret that information is not yet available in respect of 1975 or later. The figures for England for the earlier years are: 1967, 20,600; 1973, 52,000; 1974, 48,000.