Acupuncture Profession Well Regulated for Years

I Write in connection with your interesting piece in the Echo entitled ‘Doctors warn: Licence to heal is only natural’ (July 8).

I think the phrase “county doctors are calling for alternative therapies to be regulated to ensure patients are not injured or conned” could easily be misleading as it implies that all alternative therapies are not well regulated, which is not true.

Secondly, it implies that the healthcare professionals in this sector are either dangerous or dishonest, which is unfair.

Finally, it implies that the orthodox medical profession does not have these problems. Also not true.

Clearly, there are significant benefits to regulating any branch of healthcare. Regulation is important to protect patient safety and ensure access to highly trained professionals.

The acupuncture profession has been well regulated for many years. In some ways its regulation excels in comparison to other professions.

The next step is to obtain statutory regulation. This stage is already well under way and the profession will be statutorily regulated within the next 12 months or so. In addition to this, acupuncturists are currently considering recognition by Royal Charter.

I entirely agree with the position that “all alternative therapists, from acupuncturists to reflexologists to reiki practitioners, should receive a licence from an independent regulatory body before practising”. I very much hope that all other holistic healthcare professions follow the lead of acupuncturists. Of course, several already have.

We need to be clear that statutory regulation should not be seen as a panacea. One only needs remember the name Dr Harold Shipman and countless other stories to realise that.

Dr Mowat says that research has to be carried out into the effectiveness of the many different therapies. This is true. However, doctors need to be aware of the plentiful research that is already available for some of these therapies.

For example, the World Health Organisation has already categorised long lists of health problems that can be helped by the use of acupuncture. Research is already available in other fields as well. It is important that our doctors view this research and act on it to make these therapies available for people who are suffering now.

The fact that most private healthcare insurers support the use of a variety of holistic healthcare is indicative of the confidence it has in this sector.

Dr Mowat says that “…while the NHS funds very few alternative therapies at present, none should be funded until their safety and efficacy are scientifically proved”.

This is clearly a prudent approach, but why not immediately fund those that have been proven to be more effective than standard care?

Dr Mowat says: “Most doctors have experience of somebody coming with sciatica or back pain through manipulation from an unqualified person”.

This is regrettable but I feel that, as with any other private sector service, the buyer is responsible to ensure that they choose a bone fide provider. In the field of manipulation, chiropractic and osteopathy are well established and regulated and have been for a long time.

The medical profession should be aware of the holistic healthcare professions that are already well regulated and have established track records for the successful treatment of many health problems.

Statutory regulation will just be the next logical step in the process to assure patient confidence and guide GPs in making appropriate referrals. The sooner this country can provide an integrated approach to healthcare, providing patient choice as to how they are treated, the better it will be for the nation’s health… and the public purse! If statutory regulation helps doctors to understand how and when we can assist them in providing this, then roll on regulation!

SEAN BARKES Clinical director Clinic of Traditional Chinese Medicine Moor Lane, North Hykeham

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