§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in theOfficial Report the number of (i) trainee physiotherapists, (ii) trainee speech therapists, (iii) trainee occupational therapists and (iv) trainee midwives (Royal College of Midwives) entering courses in England during each of the past 10 years.
§ Mr. Newton[holding answer 15 January 1988]: Information for (i) and (iii) is not available on an England-only basis. However, the number of trainee physiotherapists and occupational therapists entering courses in Great Britain over the past 10 years is as follows:
Trainee physiotherapists and occupational therapists entering courses 1978 to 1987 (Great Britain) Academic year commencing Physiotherapy trainees Occupational therapy trainees 1978 960 634 1979 988 658 1980 996 695 1981 991 714 1982 977 766 1983 954 751 1984 960 747 1985 967 760 1986 962 754 1987 969 814 For (ii) information on the numbers commencing degree courses related to speech therapy is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science since all courses are run by universities and polytechnics.
The information requested for (iv) is as follows:
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Student midwives—England—1978 to 1987 Year Total numbers in training at 31 March12 Numbers entering training during year ended 31 March2 1978 4,230 3— 1979 4,230 3— 1980 3,870 3— 1981 3,910 3— 1982 3,910 3— 1983 4,190 3— 1984 3— 3— 1985 4,363 2,916 1986 4,227 2,961 1987 4,487 2,759 Source: English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting and predecessor. 1 Figures prior to 1985 have been estimated as 95 per cent. of the
England and Wales totals. 2 The length of midwifery training was extended to 18 months on 1 September 1981. 3 Not available. It is important to note that the numbers of midwives intending to practise on qualifying have increased from 52 per cent. in 1978–79 to over 70 per cent. in 1985–86.