§ Mr. Frank CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what additional funds are made available to general practitioners for the provision of acupuncture services as part of the treatments administered at their surgeries; [15118]
(2) how many GPs in the NHS provide acupuncture for their patients within their practice. [15019]
§ Ms BlearsGeneral practitioners are not required to provide acupuncture as part of either general or personal medical services. They are, however, able to provide acupuncture services under arrangements agreed local with the their health authority or primary care trust. They may also themselves treat patients in this way if they believe it is appropriate and they are qualified to do so. The Department does not, however, collect data on the provision of acupuncture services by general practitioners.