§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give his Department's best estimate of norms for trained occupational therapists per thousand population aged 65 years or over; if he will also give the norms for associated therapy aids; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will give his Department's best estimate of norms for trained physiotherapists per thousand population aged 65 years or over; if he will also give the norms for therapy aids; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe population of each health district presents its own characteristics and our opinion is that local needs rather than any kind of national norms should be the relevant consideration in establishing what is the appropriate level of service for any district.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give his Department's best estimate of the shortfall in the number of (a) physiotherapists, (b) occupational therapists and (c) therapists available for the treatment of the population aged 65 years or over; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe are examining intitial material from surveys being carried out which suggests that the shortfall in(a) and (b) may be of the order of 4 per cent. and 15 per cent. respectively. So far as (c) is concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his other questions today.