|
AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE VSR MEETING SEPTEMBER 2008
Attending
Paul Blacker, Ear Acupuncture Register (PB) secretary, minutes
Jonathan Tarr, Society of Auricular Acupuncturists (JT)
Pauline Ronson, Society of Auricular Acupuncturists (PR) treasurer
Dragomir Luborimov, The Acupuncture Society (DL)
Anne Marshall, Acu-Detox Plus UK (AM)
Maria Mercati, UK Oriental Medicine
Amanda Shayle, The Acupuncture Society (AS)
Carole Bishop, Acupuncture Consultancy & Training (CB)
Observing
Ewan Urquhart, Oxford Medical Supplies.
Apologies
John Gavin, College of Naturopathic Medicine (JG)
Ian Cambray Smith – Foundation of Integrated Health (ICS) (FIH)
Ray Ghandi, NADA (RG)
Derry Jones, Jing Traditional Medicine (DJ)
Janine Cousins, Acupuncture Consultancy & Training (JC)
Ken Andrews – EFMA (KA)
Wan-Hye Park – Korean Hand Acupuncture (WHP)
AGENDA
Welcome and apologies
Minutes agreed as accurate apart form the title of the group which should have been Microsystems Acupuncture regulatory working group.
Recruitment of lay chair
Jennie Longbottom has put her self forward; she can commit 10 days per year at a cost of £300 per year. The group viewed Jennies CV. PR and DL had reservations over her ability to commit to the group given her other roles, and the concern over her involvement in acupuncture. ICS had emailed PB and he had said that it would be OK to appoint her with the permission of the group, even with her involvement in the ASG. The group had te opportunity to read the CV of JL.
- Vote to propose JL as chair PB
- Seconded by MM
- Vote taken. Unanimous decision in favour.
- PB to write and invite Jenny to be Lay Chair.
Update on Stakeholder members
NADA have been contacted by PB and updated Rachel Peckham in relation to their participation with the group. PR has been in touch with RG of NADA. NADA have balloted their members on regulation. The results of this were unknown, apart from concerns of costs. Their reassessments costs are £40.00 per year.
Maria from UK Oriental medicine has joined the group. Her members are trained in ear acupuncture, wrist and ankle acupuncture.
Update on other stakeholder groups.
ASG regulation will probably not occur, for a few more years than expected. The may 2008 report from the DOH steering group was that acupuncture should be regulated. This is unlikely to happen for 2 years or more. ASG will continue to meet to represent the profession and take the profession forward.
PB to contact other possible stakeholders such as the Sudok groups. And EICWO groups
CPD
SAA is part of the BCMA , will be the BCTC, British Complementary Therapies Council, PR receives information in relation to this. They have documents on CPD and Standards of practice. It was felt that CPD was good for the profession. Continuing professional practice was felt also to be important, marinating their members’ skills base. It was thought it could be part of their revalidation process. Discussions were had around the benefits and types of CPD, and three were concerns over the costs that were involved with this for members. There were discussions over the benefits for the profession to have CPD.
First aid
PB thought it was important for practitioners to have a first aid qualification. PR and AM were against this. DL thought this may put people off training. PR thought it was not appropriate to level one courses. This could be achieved through the course training. There were concerns over the additional costs.
It was felt that 1st aid could be incorporated within the training structures of organisations.
Proposal by JT to include 1st aid in training, 2nd by DL.
Vote taken – unanimous in favour.
The level of this training yet to be agreed by the group.
Revalidation / reassessment.
DL discussed weather revalidation should be annual he preferred bi-annual he had concerns over revalidation on an annual basis may reflect a more professional image. JT felt it should be annual, to maintain the needling and patient handling skills and standards of practitioners. Discussions about the pros and cons of revalidation occurred.
It was by the entire group that revalidation for the profession was an essential mechanism to maintain high standards of practice. (It was noted by the group that the policing if this was difficult.)
The level of this revalidation has yet to be set, but the duration should be annual.
JT has observed that practitioners due to lack of use of the skill were becoming deskilled.
Regional support groups
SAA have already a support network established. It was felt by the group that this was a good idea, but may be difficult to run, The BAcC have difficulty. JT was asked if other members of the MAcRWG could also attend and weather the group could use his system as a model. PR thought it was important to have this sort of support.
Finances to run Council
Insurances.
CB has spoken to baleens and agreed in principal that they will offer block insurance, there should be a minimum of 50 people to achieve this block insurance discount. ; It would be with Zurich, £65.00 per year for £3 million cover. JT asked if members would be covered for the transport of hazard waste e.g. needles in sharps bin. And this would be given as a block insurance policy, not taken out as an individual. He may be willing to negotiate. Without the block scheme it was about £250, DL and MM said the cover was over £130 per year. CB spoke to Peter Mitchell of the CNHC to see how members get insurance. PM said as long as insurance cover could be proved that this could be proof for membership to the proposed council.
It was felt by the group that membership to the council should include provision of evidence of insurance if they have it. This would be the individuals insurance.
PR will establish with ICS the exact funding we have attracted from the FIH.
Donations
EU has offered to donate money to the group. PB to check if this is OK.
Widening participation
To aid participation it was agreed that any member travelling more than 50 miles would have their travel fees reimbursed if they choose to claim form the working group.
Collaborative working with other stakeholder groups
There was discussion on utilising the BAAB to help accredit the courses that the registers It was thought that there may be cost implications that would be too great. Concerns were raised about the BAAB setting the standards for the profession, rather than the other way round. Concerns over how the profession would be represented. PB to contact the BAAB with any collaborative routes we may explore.
Definition of Microsystems of acupuncture
DH to develop and circulate for agreement.
Scope of practice for Microsystems of Acupuncture
PB to circulate the ASG scope of practice document.
ASA CAP advertising implications, and negative advertising implications
CB has investigated running an advert with DDN, £450 for ¼ page and £595 for ½ page. +VAT. To promote the working group as a united profession. Circulation is 20,000 every 2 weeks. AS has offered to put together an article and feature for the magazine.
AS was asked to be the press officer for the group, and has agreed. AS to contact the FIH for support and other advertising routes, and permission to use the logo.
- AS propped as press release officer
- Proposed by JT seconded by DL,
- Voted unanimously in favour.
AS to develop a front page for the web site.
AS to produce a press release.
PB circulates the article and guidance from the ASA, on the ability to promote or rather lack of ability to promote acupuncture.
Areas of specialism, and training and recognition.
To be discussed next meeting.
Research
To be discussed next meeting.
Standards of Education and Core Curriculum
To discuss next meeting
Any Other Business
None
Meeting closed 16.30 pm.
Next meeting; Friday 12th of December 2008-09-19
Bamforth Room
Connaught Hall
University of London
36-45 Tavistock Square
London, WC1H 9EX
|
