Mental Health Services—Complementary Therapies

Many people have found complementary medicine (which can be used alongside traditional medicine) very helpful, particularly in reducing stress levels. Examples are acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy and reflexology. Aromatherapy and massage are beginning to be used in some NHS hospitals, but most practitioners are private.

At present, two CAM professions are subject to statutory regulation - chiropractic and osteopathy. The statutory regulatory body for chiropractic is the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and the statutory regulatory body for osteopathy is the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).

On 2 March 2004, the Department of Health published proposals for the statutory regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners. Statutory regulation will improve public protection by setting clear standards of training and competence for herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners. It will also reassure patients that a practitioner they consult is not only suitably qualified, but also competent and up-to-date with developments in practice.

The government encourages other complementary and alternative medicine professions to work towards voluntary self-regulation.

The government has no current plans to extend statutory regulation to other CAM professions such as aromatherapy and reflexology. It expects unregulated CAM professions to develop their own unified systems of voluntary self-regulation. If these professions then wish to pursue statutory regulation, they will need to demonstrate that there are particular risks to patients that voluntary regulation cannot address.

It is advisable to make sure you use a practitioner

Use the associations listed to obtain names of qualified practitioners and those who adhere to a code of conduct and code of professional ethics.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists produces a useful factsheet and guide to finding a qualified complementary therapy practitioner.

Links

The Royal College of Psychiatrists produces a useful factsheet (http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/therapies/cam2.aspx#find) and guide to finding a qualified complementary therapy practitioner.

National Contacts

British Complementary Medicine Association
P.O.Box 5122
Bournemouth
BH8 0WG

Tel: 0845 345 5977
Email: office@bcma.co.uk
Website: www.bcma.co.uk

Union of Associations of Complementary Medicine - represent interests of therapies at all levels. Protects rights of the public and practitioners. Aims to raise standards and promote use of complementary medicine within the integrated health care system. Central register of practitioners in wide range of therapies, phone for your nearest practitioner.

Confederation of Healing Organisations

Tel: 01594 890662
Website: www.confederation-of-healing-organisations.org

An umbrella organisation for 14 healing organisations in the UK. Aim is to make healing available in the NHS and private medicine. A few GPs now use CHO’s healers in their practices. Regulatory package (i.e. code of conduct, disciplinary procedure, minimum standards for entry and training, competence based training insurance comparable to a GPs) are in place.

Homeopathic Medical Association
7 Darnley Road
Gravesend
Kent
DA11 0RV

Tel: 01474 560336
Email: info@the-hma.org
Website: www.the-hma.org

An association of qualified professional Homeopaths, whose members are bound by a strict code of ethics and are obliged to have indemnity insurance, so that the public may seek treatment with absolute confidence. Produces a Register of Homeopaths which is supplied to interested members of the public. Available Monday – Friday, 10.00am – 1.00pm and 2.00pm – 4.00pm.

Institute for Complementary Medicine (UK)
Unit 25 Tavern Quay Business Centre
Sweden Gate
London SE16 7TX

Tel: 0207 231 5855
Email: info@i-c-m.org.uk
Website: www.icmedicine.co.uk

Supplies information on complementary medicine - treatment, education and training: developing new methods of natural health care. Publishes news digest, working to develop National Vocational Qualifications. Runs the British Register of Complementary Practitioner. Send SAE and three loose 1st class stamps. Covers England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

NHS Direct

Tel: 0845 46 47
Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

NHS Direct is a 24 hour confidential healthcare advice and information helpline. You can speak directly, and in confidence, to experienced nurses and professional advisors about any health problem or enquiry. Using their skills and experience, together with a comprehensive computer system, NHS Direct can provide you with advice on what to do next.

If you need general information about local health services or more in-depth information about a particular health condition that may be worrying you or a family member, NHS Direct staff can get you the help and information you need quickly.

Calls charged at local rates. For patients’ safety all calls are recorded. For those whose preferred language is not English, there is the choice of a confidential translation service.

NHS Direct also has information about complementary therapy organisations.

National Register of Hypnotherapists & Psychotherapists
12 Cross Street
Nelson
Lancashire
BB9 7EN

Tel: 01282 716839 manned Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 5.00pm
Email: admin@nrhp.co.uk
Web Page: www.nrhp.co.uk

Free referral service, by post or telephone, for members of public seeking qualified hypno-psychotherapists. All members trained by National College of Hypnosis & Psychotherapy (training arm of Register), with ongoing supervision, adhere to Code of Ethics, & carry appropriate insurance. Members of UKCP.

Helps with general relaxation and stress relief, habit disorders, social difficulties, phobias, panic attacks and depression.