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AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE VSR MEETING JULY 2008
Attending
Paul Blacker, Ear Acupuncture Register (PB)
Carole Bishop, Acupuncture Consultancy & Training (CB)
Wan-Hye Park – Korean Hand Acupuncture (WHP)
Appologies
John Gavin, College of Naturopathic Medicine (JG)
Jonathan Tarr, Society of Auricular Acupuncturists (JT)
Ian Cambray Smith – Foundation of Integrated Health (ICS) (FIH)
Pauline Ronson, Society of Auricular Acupuncturists (PR)
Amanda Shayle, The Acupuncture Society (AS)
Dragomir Luborimov, The Acupuncture Society (DL)
Anne Marshall, Acu-Detox Plus UK (AM)
Ray Ghandi, NADA (RG)
Derry Jones, Jing Traditional Medicine (DJ)
Janine Cousins, Acupuncture Consultancy & Training (JC)
Ken Andrews – EFMA (KA)
Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising
Minutes of last meeting agreed.
Other stakeholders groups.
NADA
At the last meeting PR agreed to contact Margaret Pinnington to find out what stand NADA are taking regarding either statutory or voluntary regulation. PR received a phone call from another representative of NADA, Isabella, who she said she would get back to PR after consultation with NADA. No reply to date.
Korean Hand acupuncture
Wan-Hye Park Korean hand acupuncture has been contacted and joined the group.
Education
Discussions were held over who sets minimum educational standards for each group. PB discussed using the BAAB as a model, which is an independent body overseeing college accreditation in the UK for body acupuncturists. PB will approach the BAAB to discuss this further.
PB to action.
Educational standards
Anatomy and physiology of Microsystems being taught.
It was felt by the attending stakeholders that there should be a minimum appropriate level of education in anatomy and physiology pertaining to each Microsystems being covered, e.g. knowledge of the ear for auricular acupuncturists. This would be advised by a working group yet to be established. (action; establish education working group)
English language
Discussion was held over the level of English for someone to be a safe practitioner and that is should be to the level of the International English Testing System 6.5 or 7, in line with other regulators, this has yet to be agreed by the group. This would also mean having a testing system available.
It was discussed that this would be an objective way of testing somebody’s English language abilities.
First aid
It was discussed that it was a good objective for the profession to have 1st aid as a mandatory rather than optional aspect, however the cost of such a course was a negative factor. With fees as low as £60 per course it another additional cost for the group to consider for its members.
As the group was small it was agreed that this would be discussed again and in greater depth at the next meeting.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) training levels - do we need to set them.
As far as the group were aware these have not yet been set anywhere. The question rose should we set them. This would require another working group. (action; establish NOS working group).
Lay Chair
PBs understand that a lay chair has been found by the FIH and we are awaiting details the FIH. ICS to advise on this situation.
Once the funds allocated to us by the FIH have cleared we shall invite the lay chair to attend the next meeting, subject to theor fees being acceptable by the group.
Budget and finances
A bank account has been set up in the name of Microsystems Acupuncture Regulatory Working Group by PR and is now active.
Funding has been agreed by the FIH and the group is awaiting funds to be transferred into the back account. ICS of the FIH has said that the first six months of the grant is due within 10 days or so from the DOH and we will receive £2500, payable into the groups account when the funds have cleared.
Timetable (from Agenda)
Updated.
FIH
Not in attendance, however communication form indicates successful application for funding and location of a lay chair for the group.
CPD
PB to produce an outline CPD policy for circulation and discussion.
PB to action
Constitution
Minor changes suggested by the group have been incorporated.
Vote taken and constitution agreed as acceptable for publication on the internet website.
Mission Statement
The mission statement for the regulatory working group to be posted on the web site:
To co-ordinate, regulate and promote the Microsystems acupuncture profession. The role of the MAcRWG is to create a self-regulatory body and to protect the public interest by promoting and safeguarding high educational and professional standards. The group agrees to undertake this through meaningful communication with statutory authorities, key stakeholders, and the wider acupuncture profession. The working group upholds the values of effectiveness, inclusiveness, accountability and transparency in all aspects of its work.
This was proposed and agreed by the group.
Grand-parenting
Not discussed
Any Other Business
Back to practice courses -Not discussed
CRB police checks
CRB checks are increasingly being requested by professional registers, such as the HPC, the concern for the member groups is that many of these checks of their members may come back positive.
This should not necessarily exclude a person trained being part of the register, however should we produce a list of convictions that would exclude a person from the register.
It is felt that a CRB check would raise the professional profile of our members in the eyes of the general public. It would be a useful safety check to ensure our members are safe to work with the general public, and be a public re-assurer.
The question was raised as to who would pay for such a check. It may be as much as 25.00 per person.
Should this occur pre or post courses being undertaken. It would mean that training organisations would have to make this explicit in their promotions.
Web siteThe website continues to be updated, PB expressed his gratitude to the kind help of Ken Hall. The web address is http://www.macrwg.org .
Group block insurance
WHP put forward IPTI – insurance also produce insurance for complementary therapies.
Carole bishop has agreed to contact Joe Balens of Balens insurance to investigate block insurance and will report to the group. And will produce an insurance proposal document for the group. CB to action.
Promotion of the stakeholder group.
JT felt that we should promote the working groups work widely in the public press. CB and ACT also felt it was appropriate to inform the general public and the related professions as to our advances.
PB to contact the BAcC to place an advert promoting the group.
CB to contact the DDN magazine to see if we can place an advert promoting the group.
Next meting
Friday 19th September 2008
12.00 - 5.00pm
Bamforth Room
Connaught Hall
University of London
36-45 Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9EX
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