§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which professional groups are included in the definition of professions allied to medicine for the purpose of the pay review body; which are excluded; what criteria were used in deciding this; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe professions allied to medicine included in the scope of the review body are258W physiotherapists, occupational therapists, remedial gymnasts, orthoptists, dietitians and chiropodists, plus certain related grades. Speech therapists, at the request of their trade union and professional bodies, were not included. The offer of review body status to these groups recognised their established practice of not taking industrial action, the long-standing linking together of their pay bargaining with that of the nurses and their close involvement in direct patient care. No professions allied to medicine were excluded from the offer of review body status, but some other staff groups have sought admission.