§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how short of its official establishment of occupational therapists, expressed in percentage terms, is(a) the National Health Service, (b) the Trent region and (c) the Leicestershire health authority.
§ Mr. MellorThe most recent survey data published in the evidence to the pay review body indicate that nationally just over 14 per cent. of occupational therapy posts are unfilled after three months. The figure for the Trent region is 19.3 per cent. We do not hold centrally data on unfilled posts at district level.
§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the waiting time for a first visit by an occupational therapist in(a) the Market Harborough area, (b) the Leicester area, (c) the Trent region and (d) nationally, today; and what were the comparable waiting times (i) five years ago and (ii) 10 years ago.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not collect this information centrally. Local authorities are responsible for the provision of domicilliary occupational therapy. My hon. Friend may care to write to the relevant local authority for the details he requires.