Still concerned that it may be illegal for "unqualified" acupuncturists to practice in future?
OK lets look at some of the facts:
When considering this issue it is important to separate acupuncture from herbal medicine because the safety concerns are very different.
Acupuncture is a very safe practice with a good record over many years in the UK despite not being regulated. Some of us would argue that acupuncture does not need regulation because it will make no difference to public safety. In fact on two rare occasions that things have gone wrong, Im aware of one where the practitioner was a doctor and one which occurred in a BAAB registered college clinic. Regulation would not have prevented either of these.
It will NOT be illegal to practice acupuncture without a degree or being a member of any specific acupuncture group. What might happen eventually is that you could not call yourself "acupuncturist" if you were not on the register.
The exact criteria for joining any future register are not known at the moment. But what is clear is that the governments concern is for public safety. Actually it only takes a few hours to learn how to observe the basic safety precautions applicable to acupuncture. My own suggestion for what its worth is a one day needle safety course for all acupuncturists and tattooists, a bit like a one day first aid course and certificate.
So let me say it again: In no proposed scenario will it ever be illegal to practice. In the worst case it may be against the law to use the title "acupuncturist" but this is a long way off. Even if this decision is made there will be a year long period during which people can apply to join the proposed register.
During that year any group will be able to apply to join. Bear in mind that the entire Chinese acupuncture community (trained in China so we don't know to what standard) will expect to be admitted. As will the AACP (physios) and the BMAS (Dr's who do a very very short course). In this case how could our students who have evidence of having done a comprehensive 300 hour course be excluded?
Even in this almost unimaginable scenario then its certain that someone at one of the mainstream colleges (or even someone like me) would grab the opportunity to make a few £ running a conversion course.
I am not saying that I am against all regulation and accreditation but I am saying that Im against it when its either unnecessary and time consuming. Or when its used as an excuse for monopolising training and excluding people who are either poor or unable to meet an academic standard irrelevant to actual acupuncture practice and safety.
Jamie.