MP speaks up for alternative therapists

DAVID Tredinnick’s support for alternative therapies has once again been given short shrift in Parliamentary debate.

While House of Commons colleagues were taking health minister Jeremy Hunt to task on ways to tackle the shortage of NHS staff, commitments to spending and pay increase for nurses, the recently re-elected MP was urging an increase in the use of complementary medicine practitioners.

During the debate on health matters, the self-avowed advocate of such ‘new age’ treatments as homeopathy and astrology buff, who increased his vote-winning margin in June’s snap election, suggested the incorporation of these proponents of ‘natural’ remedies could help take the pressure off an increasingly overburdened health service.

The Bosworth MP said: “May I congratulate my right honourable friend on serving as health secretary for three parliaments, and say to him that besides doctors and nurses, he should look to increase the use of properly-regulated acupuncturists, herbalists, homeopaths, chiropractors and osteopaths, who would reduce the burden on doctors and nurses in the health service.”

Mr Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health, answered in a manner which has become expected when faced with such suggestions, and referred back to the importance of spending money on scientifically-proven methods.

He said: “Over those three parliaments, I have learned to expect questions from my honourable friend in a similar vein, and I commend him for his persistence in championing that cause. As he knows, I think the most important thing, with all such issues, is to follow the scientific advice.”