§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the independent experts which have been called in to advise at the Department of Health—National Health Service manpower planning advisory group on the recruitment and retention of speech therapists;
(2) on what dates discussions have taken place on recruitment and retention rates of speech therapists at the Department of Health—National Health Service manpower planning advisory group;
(3) over what period and in which authorities area data collection took place to inform the Department of Health —National Health Service manpower planning advisory group on recruitment and retention rates of speech therapists;
(4) when the Department of Health—National Health Service manpower planning advisory group decided to study recruitment and retention rates of speech therapists;
(5) which areas of speech therapy have been examined in the Department of Health—National Health Service manpower planning advisory group on recruitment and retention patterns of speech therapists.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 29 November 1989]: Work on the recruitment and retention of speech therapists is being undertaken as part of the national professional manpower initiative. This is a joint initiative launched in December 1987 between the Departments of Health, the manpower planning advisory group and the professional bodies concerned. The aim is to improve the quality and flow of information between the service, the professions and the Health Departments. This will enable the more informed analysis of, for example, recruitment and retention issues. For those staff groups covered by the pay review body for the professions allied to medicine, the aim is also to provide improved manpower information for the review body. The initiative covers all health authorities.
The initiative has been discussed with representatives of speech therapy including a nominee from the College of Speech Therapists acting as the formal link between the college and the Department.