§ 63. Sir Ernest Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists among specialists practising physiotherapy because of the scanty utilisation of their expert skill in war-emergency service; whether he is aware that radiologists are by no means qualified to prescribe or administer physiotherapy or to advise regarding apparatus required for short-wave therapy; whether he will institute an immediate inquiry into, and report as to, the number of short-wave therapy machines now available in those hospitals 416 in which the Minister proposes to treat war casualties; and whether he will regard this question as urgent, in view of the fact that this method is essential in the early treatment of a large variety of war casualties, but that the supply of these machines, as well as the provision of skilled personnel to use them, is still deficient?
§ Mr. ElliotI am aware that during the present lull uneasiness is felt by many specialists lest their skill and knowledge may not be fully utilised. I can assure my hon. Friend that the services of the specialists referred to will not be lost sight of when the need arises. In the meantime, I am advised by my consultant adviser in physical medicine that the present arrangements are adequate. In view of this, I do not consider that I should be justified in instituting the special inquiry suggested in the latter parts of the question.