HC Deb 09 June 1992 vol 209 cc120-1W
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the current numbers of physiotherapists in each health authority in Wales; and what steps are being taken to provide training places to increase those numbers.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

The number of physiotherapists employed by health authorities in Wales as at 30 September 1991 was as follows:

Number Whole-time equivalent
Clwyd 127 94.4
East Dyfed 53 44.0
Gwent 104 85.3
Gwynedd 72 54.1
Mid Glamorgan 102 85.7
Pembrokeshire 24 20.5
Powys 49 29.7
South Glamorgan 198 155.2
West Glamorgan 93 81.2
WALES 822 650.3

Current staffing levels in this and other staff groups in the NHS in Wales are monitored annually under the manpower resource planning exercise which was initiated in 1987. Forecasts are also made of staffing requirements for the next five years. These data are used to inform decisions on funding training activity, etc., within the various professions.

Physiotherapy has been identified as one of four "shortage professions", along with occupational therapy, speech therapy and clinical psychology. Increased training in these professions has been funded through student sponsorships under arrangements which have operated since 1990–91. Over £100,000 has been allocated to train 12 student physiotherapists.

Other initiatives for remedying these shortages are being examined, including possible overseas recruitment. More generally, recruitment and retention considerations also influenced the Government's decision to accept in full the review body's recommendation for an average 6.4 per cent. increase in the pay of professions allied to medicine from I April 1992.

Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to consult regularly with bodies representing physiotherapists to discuss matters affecting their profession.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

The Welsh Office enjoys close links with the various professional bodies which represent both physiotherapists and other health care professions. Consultation with these bodies is routinely undertaken as necessary.