HL Deb 18 February 1970 vol 307 cc1145-6
LORD O'HAGAN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they believe the public are sufficiently protected against unqualified practitioners of psychoanalysis and psychiatry.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, DE-PARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (BARONESS SEROTA)

My Lords, the law allows unqualified persons to practise medicine, including psychiatry and psychoanalysis, and to treat those who choose to consult them, provided that they do not pretend to be registered medical practitioners and do not per-form certain specified services, including the prescribing of certain drugs. I am not aware of a need for further provisions to protect the public, but I will gladly look into any specific problems the noble Lord may have in mind.

LORD O'HAGAN

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether she is aware that there are some unscrupulous people and organisations who are making money out of what might be called "amateur psychiatry"? Further, does the Minister believe that there are adequate safeguards inside the provisions that she has described to prevent disturbed or muddled people from being taken advantage of by such unscrupulous groups?

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords, the Medical Acts provide for substantial penalties on any unregistered person who wilfully or falsely pretends to be a registered medical practitioner, and I believe that they protect the public in the way the noble Lord desires.

LORD WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether it is legally permissible for persons to call themselves psychiatrists, as distinct from psychotherapists or psychoanalysts, unless they have a medical degree?

BARONESS SEROTA

No, my Lords. The term "psychiatrist" should be taken as applying to a medically qualified person, but psychoanalysts and psychologists are not necessarily medically qualified.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, is it not a fact that even those whose judgment is not impaired are attracted to "quacks"?

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