§ Mr. Normantonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her policy towards the practice of acupuncture; whether she is satisfied with the arrangements for checking the professional qualifications of practitioners; and whether she can assure the House that innocent members of the public are not being exploited.
§ Dr. OwenTreatment provided under the National Health Service must be given or supervised by qualified medical practitioners registered with the General Medical Council who can use any form of treatment that they consider to be in the interests of their patients. It is for the doctor to ensure that any person to whom he delegates treatment is adequately trained and supervised. The checking of qualification of practitioners in acupuncture is not a matter for the Department.
The Department has no evidence that members of the public are being exploited, but is considering the issue of a joint statement with the Medical Research Council on the uses of acupuncture.