Regulating CAM in the UK

Presently, “Anyone can set themselves up as an acupuncturist, homoeopath, herbalist, or other complementary therapist,” reports TimesOnLine.

This will change in April 2008.

The Natural HealthCare Council will register practitioners of aromatherapy, reflexology, massage, nutrition, shiatzu, reiki, naturopathy, yoga, homoeopathy, cranial osteopathy, and the Alexander and Bowen techniques.

Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture will be the subject of statutory regulation. Osteopathy and chiropractic are already covered by legislation.

To qualify, practitioners will have to meet safety criteria, complete a recognized course of study, be insured, and have signed up to codes of conduct.

The program will be voluntary at first. However, it will be empowered to act in response to patients’ complaints. This includes preventing errant or incompetent practitioners from working in their field.

The bottom line?
More evidence that CAM is integrating into the mainstream.

1/5/08 9:25 JR