§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in which locations within the National Health Service liquid crystal thermography is available; and what advice his Department has given to health authorities on the use of this screening procedure.
§ Mr. FreemanWe do not keep records of the locations at which liquid crystal thermography is available and have not advised health authorities on its use. I understand that very few hospitals use this technique as a diagnostic tool.
Evidence has emerged from a long-term trial carried out by the Department at Bath to measure skin temperature patterns that liquid crystal thermography is not suitable for screening, although it may be of use as an adjunct to other diagnostic routines.