Oral Answers to Questions

David Tredinnick Excerpts

Tuesday 20th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The constituency of the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann) was just mentioned and he came in on cue. Unfortunately, he was not within the curtilage of the Chamber at the material time. No doubt we will hear from him at a later date, to which we look forward with eager anticipation.

[David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con)]

2. What his Department’s definition is of evidence-based medicine; and if he will make a statement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Nicola Blackwood)]

Evidence-based medicine is about using high-quality research to guide clinical practice and to achieve optimal results for all patients. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence plays an important role in supporting evidence-based medicine by translating research into authoritative guidance for healthcare professionals on best practice.

[David Tredinnick]

Is the Minister aware that the author of “Evidence-based Medicine” in 1992, Professor David Sackett, said that it is

“about integrating individual clinical experience and the best external evidence, not just internal evidence”?

Is she further aware that in respect of the interpretation of evidence-based medicine, I have reported the so-called Good Thinking Society to the Charity Commission for the abuse of its charitable status through its use of legal threats to force the Department and health providers to change the law on healthcare?

[Nicola Blackwood]

NICE obviously considers complementary and alternative medicines when developing its guidance, where there is evidence, and it has been able to recommend some therapies, such as acupuncture for tension headaches and a range of complementary medicines for multiple sclerosis. We expect healthcare professionals to take that guidance into account when designing local services, but they must use their best understanding when treating the individual patients in front of them.