62. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to place electrical treatment at the disposal of rheumatic patients under National Health Insurance since this treatment, of proved beneficial effect in a disease occasioning great annual loss in this country, is not now available to panel patients?
§ Mr. ElliotThe medical benefit to which insured persons are entitled as a statutory benefit is limited to services within the competence of general practitioners as a class, and I have no power to extend the scope of the benefit. A number of approved societies, however, have made provision by way of additional benefits for the electrical treatment in approved institutions of their members suffering from rheumatism.
Mr. AdamsWill the Minister consider the desirability of extending the authority, in order that this treatment may become general, as suggested in the question?
§ Mr. MacquistenWill he call the attention of the medical profession to the beneficial effect of getting people suffering from rheumatism to drink boiled rain water instead of the usual hard water? It is far better than pasteurised milk.
§ Mr. ElliotI will bear in mind the suggestion of the hon. Member opposite. It is impossible for me to go further at the present time.