§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his policy is towards funding homeopathic treatment in all parts of England; and if he will make a statement; [38814]
(2) what recent representations he has received about the withdrawal of funding by health authorities for homeopathic treatment; and if he will make a statement. [38813]
§ Yvette CooperThe Government are committed to a patient centred NHS where those in the front line in providing NHS services have maximum flexibility to develop those services in a way which is responsive to local health needs. The NHS must also take into account the needs and wishes of patients.
Complementary and alternative medicine treatments, such as homeopathy, can feature within NHS services—and this is a matter for local decision. Our Complementary Medicine Information Pack for Primary Care Groups stated that the best evidence for the effectiveness of homeopathy was in treating illnesses with an allergic component.
161WI do from time-to-time receive representations from individuals and organisations about the role of complementary and alternative medicine within the NHS. I am not aware of any recent representations specifically about the withdrawal of homeopathy.