HL Deb 21 July 1989 vol 510 c1033

Lord Blyth asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to make male hormone replacement therapy available under the National Health Service.

Lord Henley

My Lords, the treatment of individual patients is for the doctor responsible for their care. If the responsible doctor deems hormone replacement therapy to be clinically necessary, then he will decide whether the known benefits outweigh the known disadvantages before deciding whether to prescribe it for his patients. If he does decide to do so, then it is available on the NHS.

Lord Blyth

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. Is he aware of the benefits to sufferers from cardio-vascular problems, of the lowering of tension and of the general well being which this treatment can give?

Lord Henley

My Lords, we are aware of claims by Dr. Carruthers that the treatment can have beneficial effects in those areas. As yet, we have received no evidence; but we shall certainly look with interest at any evidence produced by Dr. Carruthers.

Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that some of us are very glad not to have had male hormones replaced to the level at which they once stood?

Lord Henley

My Lords, I am not sure what answer I can give to that; but I certainly note the noble and learned Lord's comments.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, I welcome the statement made by the Minister. Presumably from his answer to the second question, he believes—as I do—that this is a serious form of treatment prescribed by doctors who think it is appropriate for those who feel that they need it. Perhaps it might be commended to the Prime Minister at this time when she obviously is concerned about the lacklustre performance of her Ministers here and in another place. Has the noble Lord seen the professional comment that in chickens, henpecked varieties become cock of the roost; and, as regards humans, wimps become champs? The mind boggles!

Lord Henley

My Lords, my noble friend Lady Trumpington has just leaned across to tell me that she does not want male hormones. Regarding my second answer, we still do not know whether the treatment can be effective for anything other than its current use which is largely for treatment of osteoporosis.

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