§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on complementary medical services. [80840]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesThe Government recognise that some people with conditions that do not respond to orthodox treatment can be helped by forms of complementary and alternative medicine and has sponsored research into the use of complementary medicine in general practice. GPs and hospital doctors may arrange for their patients to receive any of the complementary medicine treatments if they feel it is clinically necessary, and is the most appropriate method of treating the particular health need. The doctor should also take into account the patient's wishes, evidence of the safety and effectiveness of the treatment and its cost and availability locally.
Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.