Government Plans will Cost Practitioners

A controversial plan by the government to require therapists to register seperately for each of their practising disciplines could cripple thousands of working complementary practitioners, leaving them unable to work.

The plans come as part of the initiative to improve qualifications and standards in complementary medicine by setting up regulatory and registration bodies specifically for complementary therapies.

These moves are on the whole welcomed, meaning consumers have better protection from unqualified practitioners, complementary medicines gain greater credibility and recognition and the industry as a whole should benefit.

The difficulty comes where many practitioners are qualified in several disciplines. Under the new proposals, a therapist practising Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Seated Massage for example would have to pay training, administration and registration fees to three seperate sets of governing bodies. Many association bodies suggest instead the establishment of a single, multi-disciplinary association for complementary therapies with only one single set of adminstration and registration costs. This would lead to a reduction in administration costs for therapists, one common set of ethics, standards and codes of conduct across all complementary disciplines and a greater degree of control of 'rogue traders' operating within the alternative health field.

If you would like to know more about the government's proposals and how they will affect you, contact the Guild of Complementary Practioners:

GCP
Liddel House
Liddel Close
Finchampstead
Berkshire RG40 4NS

0118 973 5757

Or visit www.gcpnet.com

Friday, 1 September 2000