§ Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what new funds are being allocated for occupational therapists' training to overcome the current shortage in qualified people to fill all the funded posts;
(2) how many funded positions for occupational therapists in the National Health Service and local authorities are at present vacant due to shortage of applicants.
§ Mr. NewtonThe results of the most recent sample surveys by health authorities of shortfall are not yet available for technical reasons. I shall let the hon. Member have a further reply as soon as they are ready. Meanwhile, planned allocation for occupational therapy training in 1987–88 will be 12 per cent. greater than in the present year as compared with an increase of 6 per cent. in current spending on the hospital and community health services.
§ Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current waiting list of people awaiting assessment by occupational therapists in the United Kingdom as a percentage of the total number of assessments carried out by occupational therapists in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. NewtonI am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member the information he seeks, since it is not collected centrally.