§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of hearing therapists employed in each region, the amount of additional money allocated for recruiting and training two or three additional therapists over the next four years in accordance with his recent decision, and his estimate of the present shortfall in the specialty; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleNo hearing therapists are currently employed in the National Health Service under the terms of the recent health circular, but I am pleased to announce that provisional approval has been given to the creation of the first nine posts in England. Applicants for those posts are currently being interviewed and those selected will join the training course due to commence in September. In the first and subsequent years in which posts receive firm approval and for which successful candidates are recruited, the employing authority will receive from my Department an additional revenue contribution of £5,000 and £7,000 respectively.
The number of posts that will ultimately be required will depend upon the experience gained during the development period together with the outcome of further research into rehabilitation, which my Department is currently funding.