Vol. 503 No. 3
368 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the manual lymphatic drainage therapy and the positive effects of this treatment; the plans, if any, he has in place to grant financial assistance for training in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10044/99]
Manual lymphatic drainage is primarily used to promote the optimal functioning of the initial lymph vessels, nodes and ducts of the lymphatic system. It facilitates the removal of metabolic wastes, excess water, large protein molecules and foreign substances from tissue via the initial lymph vessels and the venous capillaries.
The provision of this therapy would be a matter for a medical practitioner to prescribe in individual cases and for health boards and hospitals to provide for its funding in their service plans.
