Paul McGrath
Question:93 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the impact which the new health structures will have on the number of nurses in the health service. [17569/03]
Vol. 569 No. 3
93 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the impact which the new health structures will have on the number of nurses in the health service. [17569/03]
132 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the impact which the new health structures will have on the number of therapists in the health service. [17574/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 132 together.
The health reform programme was announced on 18 June 2003. The programme's priority focus is improved patient care, better value for taxpayers' money and improved health care management. The reform programme has drawn on the conclusions and recommendations of the two reports, the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service and the Audit of Structures and Functions in the Heath System, which were published on the same day. The reports and the health reform programme do not deal with the impact that the new health structures will have on the number of therapists and nurses in the health service.
However, significant progress has already been achieved in increasing the number of professional therapists working in the public health services in line with the recommendations of the report, Current and Future Supply and Demand Conditions in the Labour Market for Certain Professional Therapists, commissioned by my Department from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates and published in June 2001.
Profession |
Number employed 1999 |
Number employed 2001 |
% change 1999-2001 |
Occupational Therapy |
371 |
526 |
41.8 |
Speech & Language Therapy |
345 |
399 |
15.6 |
Physiotherapy |
679 |
896 |
31.9 |
Total |
1,395 |
1,821 |
30.5 |