BMA Supports Greater Access to Acupuncture

In June this year, the British Medical Association presented a report showing 58% of GPs surveyed had referred patients on to an alternative therapist for treatment.

GPs were more likely to refer patients for acupuncture, although many GPs consider all forms of complementary medicine to be of benefit in some cases. This report prompted the BMA to suggest therapies should be made widely available on the NHS where practitioners are suitably regulated.

Of those surveyed, 82% of GPs had "little or no knowledge" of alternative techniques, but half wanted to learn more.

Sunday, 13 August 2000