Homoeopathy (Hansard, 27 January 1976)

55. Mr. Tom Ellis
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what decisions have been made to close or to transfer to other premises any of the existing homoeopathic hospitals in England.

§ Dr. Owen
The Hahnemann Hospital in Liverpool is to be closed this summer. It is proposed that services for inpatients requiring homoeopathic treatment will be provided at Mossley Hill and for out-patients at the Liverpool Clinic. Discussions on these and other provisions are continuing.
No decision has been taken to close or transfer to other premises any other of the existing homoeopathic hospitals in England but discussions with a view to rationalising the service provided by the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital and two adjacent hospitals are pending.

Mr. Tom Ellis
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to ensure that a proper understanding of homoeopathic medicine is possessed by at least one member of every area health authority, especially in those areas where there are homoeopathic hospitals.

§ Dr. Owen
It would not be practicable to do as my hon. Friend suggests. However, I would expect an area health authority to seek expert advice on homoeopathic questions as necessary.

Mr. Tom Ellis
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will appoint an adviser in homoeopathic medicine to her Departmental staff.

§ Mrs. Castle
The Chief Medical Officer has a number of consultant advisers drawn from particular specialties in medicine. They are appointed to advise on trends and developments within their specialties and on particular problems as these arise. Not all the many disciplines within the major specialties have170W a separate adviser but the Department and its officers also have access to a wealth of expert advice through various advisory committees. When advice about homoeopathy, which is a method of treatment rather than a distinct specialty, has been required there has been no difficulty, up to the present, in securing it, and therefore there are no plans to appoint an adviser to the staff.