HC Deb 14 June 1999 vol 333 cc49-50W
Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the number of occupational therapists required in Northern Ireland to reduce the waiting time for assessment of need to(a) six months and (b) three months. [85874]

Mr. McFall

No estimate has been made of the number of occupational therapists required to reduce the waiting times for housing adaptation assessments.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time occupational therapists are employed in Northern Ireland. [85875]

Mr. McFall

At 31 December 1998 the number of qualified occupational therapists employed in the Northern Ireland Health and Personal Social Services, across the full range of hospital and community services, was as follows:

  1. (a) Full-time—339
  2. (b) Part-time—127.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to recruit and train extra occupational therapists in Northern Ireland. [85887]

Mr. McFall

Training of occupational therapists in Northern Ireland is carried out in the University of Ulster. At the request of the Department of Health and Social Services the University has since 1992 increased the annual student intake level from 36 to the current level of 50. Recruitment of occupational therapists is a matter for individual Health and Social Services Trusts.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average waiting time for a home visit and assessment by an occupational therapist in Northern Ireland. [85873]

Mr. McFall

Information is not available in the form asked. The table shows the number of assessments commenced during the quarter ended 31 March 1999 and in each case the time waiting from referral.

Priority cases Number
Less than 2 weeks 2,833
2 weeks to under one month 698
One month and over 645
Total assessments commenced 4,176

Other cases Number
Less than 3 months 2,735
3 to 6 months 1,424
6 months and over 1,407
Total assessments commenced 5,566

Note:

Figures do not include Newry and Mourne Health and Social Services Trust due to a computer problem