SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1978

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GOVERNMENT SEEKING PHYSIO AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

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FACED WITH BIG SHORTAGES OF PHYSIO AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, THE GOVERNMENT ADVERTISED IN TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS FOR PEOPLE QUALIFIED IN THESE TWO PROFESSIONS, INCLUDING SOME TO WORK PART-TIME.

MR. IAN STRACHAN, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REHABILITATION POLICY, SAID THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE GOVERNMENT HAS ADVERTISED FOR PART-TIME WORKERS IN THESE TWO FIELDS, AND IT REFLECTS THE DESPARATE NEED FOR SUCH PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE.

+WE ARE HOPING LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE PEOPLE WITH APPROPRIATE QUALIFICATIONS WILL APPLY,+ MR. STRACHAN SAID.

HE SAID APPLICATIONS WERE EXPECTED TO COME LARGELY FROM

MOTHERS WITH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN.

THE DECISION TO INCLUDE PART-TIME WORKERS IN THE ADVERTISEMENT WAS AGREED AT A RECENT MEETING OF THE PERSONNEL SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.

MR. STRACHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS 80 PER CENT SHORT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS (121 VACANT POSTS) AND 50 PER CENT SHORT OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS (143 VACANT POSTS).

+WE ARE HOPING FOR A REALLY GOOD RESPONSE FROM QUAL IF IED PROFESSIONALS WHO WOULD LIKE TO WORK FOR A FEW HOURS A DAY FOR THE MEDICAL OR SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS, HE ADDED.

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