§ Mr. HansonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many speech therapists there are in each health authority area; and what assessment he has made of the necessary establishment of speech therapists in each area. [21602]
§ Mr Gwilym JonesThe information is given in the table. Speech therapists employed by NHS trusts are shown in the health authority area in which the trust is situated. It is a matter for trusts to determine the number required.
Speech therapists (whole time equivalent numbers), 30 September 19951 New health authority area Number (wte) Bro Taf 46 Dyfed Powys 28 Gwent 29 Morgannwg 45 North Wales 51 1Excluding a small number of speech therapists paid on local pay scales for whom no details of occupation are available centrally.
§ Mr. HansonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of(a) the recruitment and (b) the provision of speech therapists in Wales. [21601]
§ Mr. JonesA survey of speech therapy departments in Wales was carried out in 1996 which identified 14.1 whole-time equivalent vacancies. NHS trusts indicated that there were some recruitment difficulties. Provision is being made for a further eight speech therapists to be trained in each annual cohort in Wales in addition to the 22 student places available.