§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many pharmacy technicians are employed in each of the health authorities in Wales.
§ Mr. GristThe information which relates to whole-time equivalents as at 30 September 1988 is given in the following table:
District health authority Pharmacy technicians Clwyd 24.4 East Dyfed 5.8 Gwent 38.1 Gwynedd 10.0 Mid Glamorgan 21.8 Pembrokeshire 1.0 Powys 2.0 South Glamorgan 34.2 West Glamorgan 21.9
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what steps he will take to enhance the status of pharmacy technicians with the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he proposes to improve the salaries of pharmacy technicians; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristThe salaries of pharmacy technicians are negotiated within committee "C" of the professional and technical staffs "B" Whitley council. The staff side has rejected an offer of a 5.5 per cent, increase in pay with effect from 1 April 1988, but further discussions are being arranged for later this month.
In recognition of the difficulties which are being experienced in some parts of the country in the recruitment of staff for hospital pharmacies, the management side of the Whitley council is undertaking a review of the duties and grading structure of pharmacy technicians.