§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the efficacy of self regulation of alternative and complementary healers; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleNone. Professional self regulation, through either statutory or voluntary arrangements, is widely accepted as the basis for effective regulation of professions in the health care field.
§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has considered implementing a national register of therapists offering alternative healing and medicines.
§ Mr. SackvilleNo. We encourage those groups of complementary medicine practitioners not covered by statutory registration arrangements, to develop voluntary registration systems based on agreed standards of education, training and codes of practice.
§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what checks her Department makes upon the activities of alternative or complementary healing;
(2) what measures her Department has taken to monitor activities of alternative therapists and healers who are not governed by voluntary regulation schemes;
(3) what measures her Department has taken to ensure that any member of the public who has been mistreated by an alternative or complementary therapist has recourse to disciplinary proceedings against that practitioner;
(4) what measures are available to the public to ensure that a complementary therapist can be barred from practising if such action is necessary for the public good.
§ Mr. SackvilleThis Department does not monitor the activities of complementary therapists. Whether on a voluntary register or not, they are at liberty to offer their services to the general public, subject only to those provisions of statute and common law which apply. For 219W example, there are restrictions on purporting to treat cancer and venereal disease and upon attendance at childbirth; and they are subject to relevant provisions of the Medicines Act.
The Department recognises that membership of a reputable and well regulated profession—whether regulation is by statutory or voluntary schemes—is beneficial in the maintenance of codes of ethical practice and disciplinary processes. Members of the public are advised to check that a practitioner is a current member of a reputable organisation and carries proper indemnity insurance before accepting treatment. We also advise that they seek the advice of their general practitioner before proceeding.
Where complementary therapy treatment has been provided in the national health service, dissatisfied patients may seek redress through the NHS complaints procedures. Where treatment has been obtained in the private sector, patients may pursue complaints through the disciplinary procedures—where these exist—of the professional group to which the practitioner belongs. They may also seek redress through the courts.