On 16th February, the Department of Health said that the current voluntary regulation of the acupuncture profession is sufficiently robust to protect the public.
The British Acupuncture Council responded to the statement as follows:
“British Acupuncture Council statement in response to Written Ministerial Statement regarding statutory regulation of Practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine
The Department of Health today announced plans to bring in statutory regulation of herbal practitioners with the Health Professions Council (HPC) from April 2012. Within these plans, The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) is pleased that the Government has stated that it believes self –regulation of acupuncture is robust, and meets the needs of the public.
Nick Pahl, chief executive of the BAcC said: “The written ministerial statement from the Secretary of State for Health, Mr Andrew Lansley, has been welcomed by BAcC. The BAcC has been at the forefront of promoting best practice in acupuncture for many years and is committed to ensuring all patients receive the highest standard of professional care during their acupuncture treatment. BAcC members are bound by the Code of Safe Practice which sets benchmark standards for best practice.
“As a major provider of care in the UK, over the longer term the BAcC wants to see the Government working to develop stronger partnerships with local acupuncturists, who as experts in their field, understand how to meet the many needs of the communities they serve.”
The BAcC is also encouraged by the Minister’s move to implementing statutory regulation for herbal medicine and the practice of Chinese Medicine.”
