Finian McGrath
Question:231. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views regarding complementary therapies and their importance in supporting the health service here (details supplied) [53202/12]
View answerWednesday, 28 November 2012
Questions (231)
Written answers
The Report of the National Working Group on the Regulation of Complementary Therapists was published in 2006. The Report noted that there was no agreed definition of what constitutes a complementary therapy. While it focussed on the regulatory environment, some definitions which the Report considered were:
- ‘‘Complementary Medicine refers to a group of therapeutic and diagnostic disciplines that exist largely outside the institutions where conventional health care is taught and provided.’’
- ‘‘Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a broad domain of healing resources that encompasses all health systems, modalities and practices and their accompanying theories and beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the politically dominant health system of a particular society or culture in a given historical period……”
There are no approved grades in the complementary therapies in the publicly-funded health sector and there have been no requests to my Department from the publicly-funded health sector for the approval of such grades. However the Report noted a large increase in the number of people using complementary therapies, both in Ireland and worldwide, and my Department makes available an information leaflet on complementary therapy to assist consumers in making an informed choice if they choose to use complementary therapy. A copy is available on the Department’s website at http://www.dohc.ie/publications/pdf/complementary_therapists_leaflet.pdf?direct=1
The 2006 Report made recommendations on strengthening the regulatory environment for complementary therapists. My Department’s concern, while carefully considering this Report, has been the most effective way to regulate this sector and protect public safety while still allowing people freedom of choice. My Department therefore supports greater voluntary self-regulation for all such therapies and has facilitated workshops for stake-holders. Issues such as therapeutic effectiveness; initial professional training/entry qualifications; continuing professional development; quality and accountability of complementary therapists; and agreement among practitioners within each individual profession so that professional bodies are representative, all need to be considered in this context.
In relation to entry level qualifications, a review on the academic recognition of five specific complementary therapies (Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine) was jointly commissioned in 2010 by my Department and Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), now Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Its conclusions are now being considered.