integrated health care? - a petition
a friend alerted me to this petition to integrate complementary and alternative therapies into the NHS
Petition Title:
Provide a system of Integrated Health within the NHS, to provide the best care for people suffering from illness.
Details:
Integrated Health means an approach to health which brings together the safest and most effective aspects of orthodox medical science and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, such as herbal medicine, homeopathy, reflexology, therapeutic (and aromatherapy) massage, acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic, amongst others. We ask that the government develops an integrated system of medicine which is patient-centred and offers real choice of treatment by providing treatment which is subsidised by the NHS, as a cost effective (and potentially more therapeutically effective) alternative to long-term drug treatment. Consider the founding of centres of excellence - health centres/surgeries which have CAM practitioners on-site - and promote the routine referral of patients to local, fully trained/qualified CAM practitioners for the treatment of chronic conditions for which research has shown CAM to be effective. The specific therapy and practitioner to be chosen by the patient from a list of those suitable. Integrated Health also means emphasising preventative medicine (disease prevention) and self care - looking at the person as a ‘whole’, taking into account the effect on health of lifestyle, environment and emotional wellbeing - treating the underlying causes, not just the symptoms. This means treating the chronic and sometimes ‘vague’ symptoms that can be the precursors of more serious illness.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/holistic
It's an e-petition so can only be signed on-line at the above web address. If you believe it's a good idea please pass on these details to other practioners of CAM, patients, friends and family who may also want to sign.
Petition Title:
Provide a system of Integrated Health within the NHS, to provide the best care for people suffering from illness.
Details:
Integrated Health means an approach to health which brings together the safest and most effective aspects of orthodox medical science and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, such as herbal medicine, homeopathy, reflexology, therapeutic (and aromatherapy) massage, acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic, amongst others. We ask that the government develops an integrated system of medicine which is patient-centred and offers real choice of treatment by providing treatment which is subsidised by the NHS, as a cost effective (and potentially more therapeutically effective) alternative to long-term drug treatment. Consider the founding of centres of excellence - health centres/surgeries which have CAM practitioners on-site - and promote the routine referral of patients to local, fully trained/qualified CAM practitioners for the treatment of chronic conditions for which research has shown CAM to be effective. The specific therapy and practitioner to be chosen by the patient from a list of those suitable. Integrated Health also means emphasising preventative medicine (disease prevention) and self care - looking at the person as a ‘whole’, taking into account the effect on health of lifestyle, environment and emotional wellbeing - treating the underlying causes, not just the symptoms. This means treating the chronic and sometimes ‘vague’ symptoms that can be the precursors of more serious illness.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/holistic
It's an e-petition so can only be signed on-line at the above web address. If you believe it's a good idea please pass on these details to other practioners of CAM, patients, friends and family who may also want to sign.