§ 6. Mr. Simmonsasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement outlining the steps taken by his Department 7 to provide relief for sufferers of phantom limb and amputation stump pains; what were the numbers of such amputees specially treated at Roehampton last year; and whether he will make details of these treatments and remedies widely known at provincial centres, so that larger numbers of amputees will be encouraged to request treatment.
§ Mr. R. ThompsonTreatment is given at a number of hospitals for phantom limb and amputation stump pains by the methods judged most appropriate in each case. At Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, a group of intractable cases has been reviewed and given recognised forms of treatment under the supervision of various specialists; 70 such cases were admitted in 1958 and of these 61 showed improvement. The methods used at Roehampton are generally known, and all medical staff at limb fitting centres are aware of the facilities available. The number of amputees requiring treatment for stump pain is quite small.
§ Mr. SimmonsThe Minister will realise that the important part of the Question is making the details of the arrangements and remedies widely known. I know nothing about them. When the "phantom rides again" I shall have to grin and bear it, because I do not know the methods of obtaining the treatment. Cannot something be put into the pension order book, or some steps be taken to let all amputees know exactly what procedure they have to take when they are subject to these pains in phantom limbs?
§ Mr. ThompsonI have always had an open mind on this matter, but I wonder whether publicity is in all cases in the patient's interest. In many cases psychological treatment is necessary, and it may be impeded if the patient's attention has been fixed on his disability, or on one particular line of treatment. It is for the doctor and not the patient to decide whether a particular line is worth trying.