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AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE VSR MEETING NOVEMBER 2007
Attendees
- Paul Blacker, Ear Acupuncture Register (PBl)
- Paul Robin, Acupuncture Society (PR)
- Paul Brecher, Principal, College of Chinese Medicine (PBr)
- Amanda Shayle, Acupuncture Society (AS)
- Anne Marshall, Acu-Detox Plus UK (AM)
- Jonathan Tarr, Society of Auricular Acupuncturists (JT)
- Carole Bishop, Acupuncture Consultancy & Training (CB)
1. Apologies
Ray Ghandi, NADA Janine Cousins, Acupuncture Consultancy & Training Pauline Ronson, Society of Auricular Acupuncturists
2. Recap
PBl summarised the history and purpose of this group for the benefit of those who had not attended before. Also clarified distinction between:
Voluntary Register – this is very easy to set up using the ‘grand parenting’ approach
Voluntary Regulator – this is much more complex and needs to include a minimum of 80% of all training organisations,
Since the last meeting all have consulted with their members for feedback on voluntary self-regulation (VSR).
3. Feedback
PBl – has had informal positive feedback
JT – didn’t bring exact figures but all positive so far
CB – positive feedback, VSR seen as raising the status of auricular acupuncture
AM – all feedback positive
4. Princes Foundation for Integrated Health (PFIH) and Health Professions Council (HPC)
CB asked about the role of PFIH and the recent differences of opinion that have been reported between PFIH and complementary therapy groups they have been working with.
PBl explained that PFIH are taking a federal approach to regulation – they would be the regulator of all complementary therapies. As such they have been meeting representatives from a range of therapies that are pursuing the VSR route in an attempt to agree a workable regulatory structure. These talks appear to have broken down quite acrimoniously but we have only heard the views of the comp therapy representatives, no-one from PFIH has commented publicly.
In the future it is possible PFIH could be the regulator of auricular acupuncture once we have met the criteria.
Action Point: PBl to copy information for the group from PFIH re: definitions, formal guidelines, lay chair etc.
There was a discussion about the Health Professions Council (HPC) as this is very likely to be the regulator for the acupuncture profession. The HPC will be the only regulator until 2011 when there is a planned review of regulation.
PBl and JT currently attend the Acupuncture Stakeholders Group. As a result of this they have obtained an informal agreement from BAcC that we can use their policies and protocols rather than having to devise separate ones for auricular acupuncture.
PBl thinks that it is possible that by going the VSR route with standards set the same as body acupuncturists that we may be included ‘by association’ and our members will be able to use the title acupuncturist
JT reminded the group that we still don’t have a definition of the term acupuncturist that everyone is happy with.
5. Eligibility to join AARWG
It is possible to put acupuncturists into 3 categories:
Body acupuncturists Physiotherapists, Dr’s etc. – those using it as an adjunct Other – includes auricular, Korean wrist, abdomen, hands, feet and ECIWO (embryo containing the information of the whole organism) – finger.
PBl suggested that the final category could be termed ‘microsystems’ of acupuncture and as such all grouped together. There was a discussion around the implications of this. Concerns were raised about disparity of training courses eg length, educational standards, clinical practice, qualifications obtained. It is likely that different registers for different microsystems would be needed. JT pointed out that it is not possible to be on 2 registers. At this stage it was agreed that the group would just include auricular acupuncture.
JT raised the issue of title and function. The Department of Health could specify ‘acupuncturist’ as title with different categories of functions eg. Acupuncturist – body / ear / hand etc.
PBl stated that regarding function we have to be careful that we are not restricted to just using needles as many people use lasers, magnets, ear candles and moxa.
6. Formation of a Council for Auricular Acupuncture
PBl outlined the 3 current options for the group. We can:
It is relatively easy to set up a council and a register in the near future.
Action point: PBl to take legal advice about what formal structures need to be in place to set up a council for auricular acupuncture and also discuss it with John Wheeler and Yasmin Udden (BAcC).
It is more difficult to set up a regulator. PBl clarified that the regulator is independent and regulates the practitioners not the profession. We are responsible for setting the educational and clinical standards.
Discussion around who would hold the register, PBl suggested BAcC.
PBl stated that this group has not officially been formed yet. In order to officially form the AARWG formal feedback is required from members. It was agreed that this would be sought prior to next meeting. Silence from members may be taken as consent providing it is explicitly stated that if they don’t respond it will be assumed they do not have any objections to the proposal.
AS proposed that an email questionnaire is devised using www.surveymonkey.com. There will be a nominal cost for this – approx £30 in total to be split between members of AARWG.
Action points:
AS to check the cost and feasibility of questionnaire and feedback to group
ALL to obtain formal feedback from members prior to next meeting.
Independent lay chair will be approached to attend next meeting subject to all consulting with members. At this meeting roles will be formalised eg. Secretary, treasurer etc.
Action point:
PBl to email group with cost of lay chair
7. AOB
PBl asked for volunteers to comment on documents produced by the Health Professions Council.
Constitution and scope of practice – PBl
Education – PR
Health & safety – CB
Ethics & standards – JT
Documents can be downloaded from HPC website
Action Point:
PBl, PR, CB & JT to feedback comments via email prior to next meeting.
8. Next Meeting
Next meeting will be held on 31st January at:
CAAAD Project
188 Laurence Hill
Bristol
BS5 0DR
0117 9042297
1pm – 5pm
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