§ Mr. Brightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what measures he proposes to introduce to protect patients from treatment by medically unqualified psychotherapists and hypnotists;
(2) what representations he has received from the General Medical Council and other representatives of the medical and nursing professions about the treatment of patients by psychotherapists and hypnotists without qualifications.
§ Sir George YoungI have no plans at present on these subjects and have received no representations from the bodies mentioned. The position on psychotherapy is under discussion in some of the main professional bodies concerned. My hon. Friend recently met the chairman of the Professions' Joint Working Party on Statutory Registration of Psychotherapists and the president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, at their request, to discuss the problems of statutory registration of psychotherapists.
§ Mr. Brightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many complaints his Department has received about treatment by unqualified psychotherapists and hypnotists in each of the last five years for which there are figures.
§ Sir George YoungFigures are not maintained routinely, but our papers record two such complaints during the past year: one on psychotherapists; one on hypnotists.
§ Mr. Brightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of treatment by unqualified psychotherapists and hypnotists have been brought to the National Health Service for remedial action in each of the last five years for which there are figures.
§ Sir George YoungThis information is not collected centrally.