Press Release  
BMAS welcomes House of Lords Report into CAM

The British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS) welcomes the report on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) published by the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology.
The BMAS has previously expressed its desire for the practice of acupuncture to be regulated in the interests of patients. It encourages appropriate training for doctors who wish to practice acupuncture, though medical practitioners are already regulated by the GMC. To this end the BMAS has put into place a formal process of postgraduate training and accreditation for doctors. These courses are becoming increasingly popular and the society will have provided training in acupuncture to 700 doctors during the year 2000.
The committee’s conclusion that there is scientific evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture echoes the conclusion made by the BMA in their report earlier in the year – that acupuncture works.
The report describes areas where acupuncture has been integrated with conventional therapies such as pain clinics, obstetrics, cancer services, rehabilitation and care of the elderly. The BMAS has played a leading role in integrating acupuncture into NHS care and continues to do so.
The BMAS is at the forefront of providing honest responsible information on when acupuncture can be expected to work and the potential benefits and risks of treatment, as called for in the report.
The BMAS shares the House of Lords’ concern that a medical diagnosis should always be made prior to acupuncture treatment being offered, and that NHS provision of all CAM, including acupuncture, should be through referral by a GP or other healthcare professional.

The BMAS promotes the use of acupuncture as a therapy following orthodox medical diagnosis by suitably trained practitioners
Details of medically qualified acupuncturists can be obtained from:

The British Medical Acupuncture Society
Marbury House Farm, Bentleys Farm Lane, Higher Whitley, Warrington WA4 4QW
Tel: 01925-730727 Fax: 01925-730492 Internet:www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk

For further information please contact:
Dr Richard Halvorsen, BMAS Press Officer
Tel: 020-7354 0031 (H)
Tel: 020-7405-3541 (W)
Fax: 020-7404 8198 (W)
Mobile: 07768-044441
Source: The British Medical Acupuncture Society

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