Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 July 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 July 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 10 October 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Speech Therapists

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many full-time equivalent posts for (a) speech therapists and (b) occupational therapists were vacant (i) 12, (ii) 24, (iii) 36 and (iv) 48 months ago; and if she will make a statement;

Answer: Information on the number of vacancies lasting three months or more is collected in the national health service workforce vacancy survey as at 31 March each year. The information available has been placed in the Library.The number of occupational therapists employed in the NHS has increased by 4,853, or 42 per cent. since 1997 and speech and language therapists have increased by 1,685, or 35 per cent. In addition, there have been increases in the number of students entering training for these professions of 64 per cent. and 62 per cent. respectively since 1999–2000.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 12386; 437 c234W;437 c234W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP 05/1191
Thursday, 6 October 2005
Deposited papers
House of Commons; Speech Therapists
Monday, 10 October 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Vacancies Speech and language therapy