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AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE VSR MEETING FEBRUARY 2008
Attendees
Paul Blacker, Ear Acupuncture Register (PBI)
Dragomir Luborimov, The Acupuncture Society (DL)
Amanda Shayle, The Acupuncture Society (AS)
Anne Marshall, Acu-Detox Plus UK (AM)
Pauline Ronson, Society of Auricular Acupuncturists (PR)
Ian Cambray Smith – Foundation of Integrated Health (FIH) (for the 2nd half of the meeting)
Apologies
Ray Ghandi, NADA
Jonathan Tarr, Society of Auricular Acupuncturists
Janine Cousins, Acupuncture Consultancy & Training
Carole Bishop, Acupuncture Consultancy & Training
Derry Jones, Jing Traditional Medicine
John Gavin, College of Naturopathic Medicine
Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising
These were not reviewed. AS recommends that any comments or changes arising be posted on the group site.
Discussion on Name of the Working Group
EAR believe that the term ‘micro systems’ should be utilized by the group. This is in relation to the Acupuncture Stakeholder Group (ASG) document on the three styles of acupuncture. 1. Body 2. Supplementary (Western medical Acupuncture society, physiotherapists etc.) 3. Micro systems: This encompasses auricular and all other systems with clearly defined focus, such as scalp, hands, feet.
Concerns from the group included,
- how do regulators set up?,
- what do they stand for and who do they represent?
- If regulation happens, we will lose the title of acupuncturist (currently possible)?
Arguments for this title included
- Strength in numbers
- Avoidance of problems with future statutory regulator that these other modalities were omitted or were prevented from having the opportunity to be included i.e. with a very specific title.
- The specific areas can retain their identity within the framework.
- It was agreed that the register would identify auricular acupuncture as a definitive style and have a defined register.
- The HPC already has set precedence with this in the titles used in the HPC.
- Explanation of difference between regulation and title, given by PB.
- Regulation: regulates the practitioner and ensures that the public and patients are kept safe.
Title: will be set by the council and can be set and separated under a single regulator. For example, ‘Auricular acupuncturist member of Microsystems acupuncture council’. Another possibility could be e.g. NADA 5 point and full ear acupuncturists.
If a Microsystems acupuncture council is formed as opposed to an auricular acupuncture council, it would afford the profession strength in numbers and demonstrate professionalism in uniting a disparate profession.
The group discussed aligning to the current main regulators codes of practice etc, as this may give the group an improved opportunity to achieve protected title in the future, as acupuncturist.
The group agreed that the Microsystems Acupuncture Regulatory Working Group would be a more appropriate working group title. In line with the groups working practice there is a proposed new name and scope of group that of;
Microsystems Acupuncture Regulatory Working Group. (MAcRWG)
The final decision will be voted on and ratified at the next meeting, if any stakeholder is unable to attend the next meeting please notify the secretary of any concerns or objections to this proposal.
Other identified Microsystems such as Finger, hand, scalp etc used by Chinese and Korean were known to the group and will be approached to join the RWG E.g. City Lit – teach a Korean microsystem, but it was not known if they held a register, and if this was professional.
The group agreed the necessity to find other practitioners of micro systems and ensure that they are given the opportunity to join, and to help establish and maintain safe standards. PR will seek to identify any other micro systems e.g. by Google search, DL to investigate Korean.
It was pointed out that Ken Andrews (part of the ASG) may have an interest and will be approached to be included in the group.
PR commented that non-represented groups were not present to listen to the discussions, especially on change of working group title, which were clarified by PB. It was agreed that the inclusion of the non-attending stakeholders was very important. It was agreed that PB should represent the stakeholder group to discuss these issues with these groups.
It was noted that SMART have previously indicated that they do not want to be involved at this time with the group, but will be invited to the next meeting, and should be kept appraised of the groups progression.
Other stakeholders groups.
The group has been asked to help to list and identify registered and unregistered practitioners by the ASG. The group agreed this was difficult but that each stakeholder could identify their our own registered members. The group agreed that there were people practicing whom we need to know about.
The group agreed to invite, as observers, other group of practitioners e.g. HPC or FIH working groups, who are already regulated, and may be using Microsystems acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment.
The group agreed to ask to attend other stakeholder groups to afford us the opportunity to share and observe (and learn from them), Ian Cambray Smith from FIH supported this. The group asked AS to approach Massage and possibly Shiatsu group.
The Acupuncture Stakeholder Group (ASG) meets every three months,
it was agreed that two representatives from the RWG should continue to attend. PB, JT and PR were voted by the group to undertake these roles,
Education
PB commented that minimum standards of education have yet to be agreed by the group.
Lay Chair
PB has approached Liz Plaistow who has previously expressed an interest in being the lay chair for the group. There was discussion on the fees involved, possibly £250 - £300 per day plus expenses. Liz does have experience of ASG and has a history / background of state regulation. It was suggested that Maggie Dunn a previous FIH lay chair to the groups also be contacted.
ICS was asked if the FIH could assist in the appointment of a lay chair, and has agreed to ask Jean Nester, FIH, for advice and help. ICS stated that the FIH would advertise for, interview and select for the group three appropriate candidates. As part of the FIH service in supporting the stakeholder group through the regulatory process. The FIH provide training for new lay chairs and provide lay chair workshops each year. The cost for this is covered by the foundation.
Budget and finances
The group initially proposed four meetings per year, costs that would need to be considered include costs for Lay Chair, Room Hire, Catering, Stationery. ICS, in his presentation, indicated the likely success of our application to the regulation programme run by the FIH and indicated we may attract a grant of up to £4,500 to £5,000, pa. It was agreed that in addition to this grant, contributions by the stakeholder groups may need to be made.
AS to find out about room hire costs for a popular venue for meetings (from ICS), Connaught Hall, Tavistock Square, part of the University of London etc. Options for the use of College of Chinese Medicine for the next and other meetings to be explored.
The successful programme application will require accounts to be produced. PR to get quote from Accountant from Soc of Auricular Acupuncturists. AS to get a quote from accountant from The Acupuncture Society. PR to liaise with JT to arrange for a special account to be opened. Figures to be sent to PB. PR and PB suggested as initial group signatories.
Timetable (from Agenda)
- Group name needs to be confirmed.
- Constitution – The Governing Document. First Draft. Members to read through and notify PB of any amendments 2 weeks before the next meeting.
- Questions sheet (Aspirations of members) needs to be submitted, even just to give the number of practitioner members for each member association and initial contact details. Replies by 21th March
- Treasurer and Secretary have been voted on, agreed and put in place.
FIH
Ian Cambray-Smith, Health Professionals Manager, The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health (FIH) was invited to attend and update the group on the FIH.
Regulation programme has been in existence for 8 years. Core of 10 therapies.
Jean Nestor will be the groups FIH representative and she will attend meetings and receive copies of documents. She attends all groups and can ensure lines of communication are open and information is shared.
Lay Chair
The regulatory process is voluntary but the group may be invited to become a part of the FIH new umbrella regulatory body, The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) . Each working group to set their own standards e.g. Entry, grand parenting – as in length of practice and developments in skill from this rather than educational.
CNHC is set up so that for each set of practitioners for each group has a profession-specific board and these maintain the identity of each profession. Individual practitioner would not be able to join the CNHC. Membership is gained though a member organisation
£45 per year CNHC fees being discussed. For any group, in the first three months after they are regulate, practitioners may sign up for £30 per year.
In two years, the foundation’s involvement in regulation may cease. ICS believes that from progress seen so far we should achieve regulator status within two years. There is lots of help and information for us to draw upon and speed things forward.
Any Other Business
Other items agreed:
Treasurer Appointed: Pauline Ronson
Secretary Appointed: Paul Blacker
Other working groups have their own websites with links to member organisations, PB will look into quotes for setting up a small website for members and the public to consult.
Next meeting April 22nd, 1.00pm – 5.00 pm
Venue College of Chinese Medicine, 26-28 Finchley Road, St John’s Wood, London, NW8 6ES
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