Chiropractic can be included under the umbrella title complementary/alternative medicine. The position in relation to complementary and alternative medicine is that it is not regulated by statute and there are no proposals to regulate it at present.
The European Parliament has been considering the issue for some years. In May 1997, a resolution on the subject was passed by the Parliament calling on the European Commission to launch a process of recognising non-conventional medicines and to carry out a study into the safety and effectiveness of such medicines and practices. It would appear practical to await the proposals from the Commission, which will give guidance on how such therapies should be regulated.
It is acknowledged that it is desirable to afford some protection to members of the public who wish to avail of such therapies. It is my Department's policy to encourage the various therapies to establish their own regulatory structures and to develop mechanisms to inform the public about the availability of services from reputable practitioners.
It should also be noted that there are no chiropractitioners employed within the public health system.
