Chinese Medicine Could Become Available On NHS

6th May 2014


Please discuss.


Chinese medicine could be available on the NHS if there is enough evidence to prove that it would benefit patients, Jeremy Hunt has suggested.

The Health Secretary indicated that the health service could look at integrating traditional Chinese medicines with Western medical techniques.

Mr Hunt said his frequent travels to China — his wife’s home country — had taught him that it is important to “follow the scientific evidence” concerning Chinese medicine.

He said that taxpayers’ money should never be spent on the traditional techniques if there was not “good evidence” that they would be beneficial.

He made the comments in the Commons on Tuesday in answer to a question from the Conservative MP David Tredinnick.

“In your travels to the People’s Republic of China, what have you learnt about the integration of Western medicines with traditional Chinese medicine?” Mr Tredinnick asked.

The Health Secretary replied: “What I’ve learnt is that the most important thing is to follow the scientific evidence and where there is good evidence for the impact of Chinese medicine then we should look at that but where there isn’t we shouldn’t spend NHS money on it.”

Chinese medicine can involve herbal remedies, acupuncture and massage therapy. NHS Choices states the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends acupuncture as a treatment only for lower back pain. It adds that the recommendation is based on scientific evidence.

American researchers recently said that a poppy plant used for centuries in Chinese medicine may offer a remedy for chronic pain.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/nhs/10738330/Chinese-medicine-could-become-available-on-the-NHS.html

Some Chinese Medicine is under Medicare here as it has pasted the test.

I have had acupuncture and can confirm it was at least as effective as physio   

some of Chinese medicine involves the death of animals that are on the endangered list such as Tigers and bears ect so keep Chinese medicine OUT of the NHS.

nicko wrote:

some of Chinese medicine involves the death of animals that are on the endangered list such as Tigers and bears ect so keep Chinese medicine OUT of the NHS.

Well Like anything you still need to keep it to Standards

SOME work...... but Rhino horn and tiger penis definitely do not   

veya_victaous wrote:Some Chinese Medicine is under Medicare here as it has pasted the test.

I have had acupuncture and can confirm it was at least as effective as physio   

Yes my sister says the same. In fact she said it had a much better result. As for Chinese medicine itself, if only they could stop being such bloody savages when it comes to animals. Their herbal medicine in first class. I can recommend sea cucumber extract - a wonderful general health booster.

Hunt has probably lined up a nice little earner with a chinese supplier

Can just see that eh...claw of tiger..£200 , available on the NHS..Whaaaatt!