Patient satisfaction and demand is providing
strong evidence of the efficacy of Complementary Medicine, according to
the British Complementary Medicine Association, such that science requires
a new paradigm, which recognises the holistic concept.
The British Medical Association asserts that the
key to enhancing the scientific credibility of Complementary Medicine is
through research. The BCMA concurs, but is convinced that clinical trials,
to be meaningful, must be conducted according to CM criteria and not
necessarily based on Orthodox Medical procedures.
In its submission of evidence to the Science and
Technology Committee of the House of Lords sub-committee on Complementary
and Alternative Medicine, the BCMA recommends a wide dissemination of
information on the positive and negative aspects of both Complementary and
Orthodox Medicine to give the public a sound basis on which to make
healthcare choices.
"Integration of Complementary Medicine with
the NHS cannot come soon enough" says BCMA Chairman Tom Lafferty.
"The NHS is the principal source of healthcare for the Nation, hence
it is absolutely essential that Complementary Medicine becomes available
through the NHS both in doctors’ surgeries and in hospitals. A hallmark
of Complementary Medicine is that it strongly encourages patients’ to
accept a measure of responsibility for their health and so develop a
lifestyle which would in fact reduce the demand on NHS resources."
Complementary Medicine practitioners now
outnumber General Practitioners in the UK and can no longer be considered
as the ‘medical fringe’. The BCMA works consistently to establish
minimum standards of training for all therapists. In many cases the level
of competence demanded by individual therapies is extremely high.
The BCMA is the major Complementary Medicine,
multi-therapy umbrella body in the UK, representing some 45 single therapy
organisations and 18 independent schools. Through this structure it speaks
for over 20,000 practitioners of 11 different therapies.
The BCMA operates a system of voluntary
self-regulation with a Code of Conduct and a Complaints Investigation and
Disciplinary Procedure, which are mandatory for all members and their
practitioners. It is also moving towards a requirement for Continuing
Professional Development for membership and maintains a Practitioner
Register for referrals of fully qualified practitioners to the public.
As part of its commitment to maintaining and
improving standards of best practice, the BCMA encourages its members to
become involved in the development of National Occupational Standards
through Healthcare UK and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
The full text of the BCMA submitted evidence is
available on the internet: www.bcma.co.uk
