§ Mr. TrimbleTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many community psychiatric nurses are employed by each health and social services board; what are the minimum qualifications for community psychiatric nurses employed by health and social services board; and what relevant qualifications are required for social workers approved for the purposes of article 5 of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.
§ Mr. AncramThe number of community psychiatric nurses employed by each health and social services board at 31 December 1992 was as follows:
Number Whole-time equivalents Eastern 107 104.03 Northern 20 20.00 Southern 39 39.00 Western 28 28.00 The minimum qualifications for community psychiatric nurses employed by health and social services boards are registered mental nurse (RMN) with community psychiatric nursing (CPN) diploma or certificate.
The relevant qualifications required for social workers approved for the purposes of article 5 of the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 are the certificate of qualification in social work (CQSW), the certificate in social services (CSS) or the diploma in social work (DSW). In addition to be approved under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 a 317W social worker undergoes a training course approved by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work and, if successful, is assessed as competent to practice. The appropriate health and social services board then issues a letter stating that the person is qualified to operate under the order.