To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have undertaken training courses in audiology in (a) England and (b) Gloucestershire in each of the last five years; how many people he expects to undertake such courses in future years; and if he will make a statement. (321857)

The number of training places in audiology in England and the South West Strategic Health Authority (SHA) for each of the last five years is shown in the following table. The number of planned training commissions for 2009-10 is also shown.

Local national health service organisations are best placed to assess the health needs of their local health community and plan the workforce they need. SHAs are responsible for commissioning the correct number of training places to maintain a work force to meet the needs of the local population.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of audiology services for children in (a) England and (b) Gloucestershire, with particular reference to the number of practitioners; and if he will make a statement. (321858)

The Department in its “Transforming Services for Children with Hearing Difficulty and their Families: a good practice guide”, outlined the work force roles required to deliver different levels of service. Within Modernising Scientific Careers, training programmes are being developed to reflect these work force requirements and we are working with strategic health authorities to ensure a smooth transition.