§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the Government plan to restrict the use of ECT treatment in the United Kingdom following the recent measures introduced in the United States of America.
§ Sir George YoungWe have no plans to do so and I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham (Mr. Stevens) on 1 May,—[Vol. 983, c.645.]
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§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, if he will ensure that full and informed consent is obtained from patients before ECT treatment is undertaken.
§ Sir George YoungI refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham (Mr. Stevens) on 1 May.—[Vol. 983, c.645–6.]
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures available of those patients who underwent ECT treatment in National Health Service hospitals.
§ Sir George YoungThe total number of ECT treatments carried out in National Health Service hospitals in England in 1979 was 160,005: the total number of courses completed in 1979 was 24,428. Information on the number of patients receiving ECT is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide compensation to those victims of ECT who have suffered due to the treatment.
§ Sir George YoungElectro-convulsive therapy is a recognised form of treatment which is of value in dealing with certain forms of mental illness. It is open to anyone who feels he has suffered as a result of ECT to pursue the matter through the courts.