§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many occupational therapists were in post in the National Health Service in 1979; how that compares with the last year for which statistics are available; and if he will break the figures down by region;
(2) if he is satisfied with the present number of occupational therapists employed by the National Health Service;
(3) what proposals or evidence he has received suggesting that the number of National Health Service occupational therapists should be increased.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe number in whole-time equivalents of occupational therapists employed in the NHS in England in 1979 was 2,528; that for 1983, the latest date for which figures are available, was 3,376, an increase of 34 per cent. The regional breakdown is shown in the table.
Figures for Scotland and Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales.
I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones), on 4 December 1984 at column 171 and to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 13 December 1984 at columns 591–592.
586W
NHS occupational therapists: regional figures Whole time equivalent rounded Regional health authority 1979 1983 Northern 99 132 Yorkshire 156 218 Trent 202 350 East Anglian 126 183 North West Thames 229 263 North East Thames 198 306 South East Thames 198 240 South West Thames 204 253 Wessex 173 216 Oxford 192 235 South Western 198 284 West Midlands 217 273 Mersey 127 160 North Western 163 257 London PG Teaching Hospitals 46 6 2,528 3,376 Source: Annual Census of NHS
Non-Medical Manpower (SR7)