§ Mr. McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many occupational therapists are employed by(a) the NHS and (b) local authorities; how many he estimates are employed by the private sector; and how many trainee occupational therapists are currently undertaking training at colleges and universities. [31225]
§ Mr. MilburnThere were 11,650 occupational therapists employed by the National Health Service hospital and community health services and 1,580 employed by local authorities in England in 1996 (latest available information).
The information requested on how many occupational therapists are employed by the private sector is not collected centrally. For the information requested on the numbers of trainee occupational therapists who are currently undertaking training at colleges and universities, I refer my hon. Friend to the College of Occupational Therapists.