Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the percentage of occupational therapy posts filled in each health district in England.
§ Sir George YoungInformation about local establishments and vacancies is not held centrally. The latest manpower figures available show that at 30 September 1979 there were 2,528.4 occupational therapists (whole-time equivalent) in the National Health Service in England.
Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the 10 schools of occupational therapy in England, together with the number of unfilled places in each school.
§ Sir George YoungThe schools are at Derby, Exeter, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, Northampton, Oxford, Salford, Wolverhampton and York. My right hon. Friend will be providing bursaries for 521 students to begin training in September 1981. Early this year the College of Occupational Therapists informed me that a further 63 places would be available. Health authorities have been invited to offer bursaries to the schools so that the extra places can be filled. Information on the response is still coming in.
Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to improve the recruitment of occupational therapists; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungI recognise the need for continuing steady expansion of occupational therapy services. Intakes to training schools in England in 1981–82 are to be maintained at the 1980–81 level. This is estimated to provide a continuing growth in manpower of between 6 and 7 per cent. a year.