Michael Bell
Ceist:37 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health the number of physiotherapists currently employed in each health board area, if he is satisfied that there is adequate cover in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Employment of Physiotherapists.
The number of physiotherapists currently employed — on a permanent, temporary, sessional and other basis — by health boards is as follows:
|
Board |
No. of Persons |
|
Eastern Health Board |
49 |
|
Midland Health Board |
24 |
|
Mid-Western Health Board |
22 |
|
North-Eastern Health Board |
22 |
|
North-Western Health Board |
31 |
|
South-Eastern Health Board |
25 |
|
Southern Health Board |
52 |
|
Western Health Board |
31 |
Generally, the physiotherapy services currently provided by boards are adequate. Nevertheless, as in all circumstances where resources are finite, there is scope for development and my Department will give every consideration to this as and when finances permit.
I would refer the Deputy to the Report on Services for the ElderlyThe Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly which made certain recommendations regarding physiotherapy services for the elderly. The report recommended, inter alia, that my Department should review the manpower requirements in physiotherapy. I hope to circulate, shortly, a discussion document concerning the organisation of physiotherapy service and manpower issues in relation to the elderly.
It should be noted that, in accordance with revised procedures recently introduced by my Department to facilitate management of manpower resources, health boards have discretion to determine their own staffing composition within their established overall staffing complement and financial allocation.