HC Deb 02 March 1982 vol 19 c119W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will enable those wishing it to have acupuncture within the National Health Service, generally, and for childbirth in particular.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The choice of treatment for any patient is a matter for judgment by the doctor in clinical charge of the case. A patient is at liberty to express a desire for acupuncture or any other form of treatment; however the capacity of the National Health Service to provide acupuncture treatment or acupuncture anaesthesia is limited by the availability of staff able to perform it.