In evidence to the Science and Technology Committee, sub committee on complementary and alternative medicine, the BMAS calls for increased findings for research into acupuncture within the NHS.

There is already, evidence at the highest level to support the use of acupuncture in defined areas as well as evidence that acupuncture can save considerable money for the NHS.

Most of the, 1700 members of the BMAS are integrating acupuncture into work in the NHS and it is already offered in 85% of NHS pain clinics and by over a thousand GP members of the BMAS in their NHS clinical practise.

However in many areas of the country there is no, or very limited, access to acupuncture within the NHS. Despite increasing interest in acupuncture by doctors, as witnessed by the continuing rise in membership of the BMAS, the training of public healthcare workers has lagged behind the degree of interest in acupuncture by the general population. This has resulted in an expansion in the private sector where there’s a minimal regulation and little published audit of safety or effectiveness.

Acupuncture treatment is not without risk and treatment can be obtained in the private sector without a medical diagnosis with the risk that a cancer or some other serious disease could be missed. The lack of restriction on acupuncture practise in this country results in all unacceptably high risk to the public.

The BMAS supports the regulation of acupuncture, and has itself introduced a system to assess safety and competence, as well as offering doctors a training and accreditation programme to ensure that the highest possible standards of acupuncture are practised.

BMAS,
Newton House,
Newton Lane,
Whitley,
Warrington,
Cheshire,
WA4 4JA

Tel: 01925-730727
Fax: 01925-730492
Internet. www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk  

2 November, 1999

For further information please contact: Dr Richard Halvorsen, BMAS Press Officer
Tel: 020-7354 0031 (H) Tel: 020-7405-3541 (W)
Fax: 020-7690 5898 (H) Fax: 020-7404 8198 (W)