To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the provision of physiotherapy services available on the NHS (a) nationally and (b) in Gloucestershire, with particular reference to (i) waiting times and (ii) the range of services available. [106140]

[holding answer 1 April 2003]: Primary care trusts now have the responsibility of improving the health of the community, securing the provision of high quality services and integrating health and social care locally. They have the resources to commission services and to identify the number of professional staff that they need to deliver those services. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community including the provision of physiotherapy services.