What is a single register and regulatory body?
A single register and regulatory body is an independent organisation that would set and implement standards for the education and practice of UK homeopaths.
Why does The Society of Homeopaths want to see a single register and regulatory body in place?
Following the House of Lords report into Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in 2000, the government confirmed that CAM groups should put single regulatory bodies in place.
“We recommend that each of the therapies should organise themselves under a single professional body for each therapy. Each should comply with core professional principles and relevant information about each body should be made known to medical practitioners and other healthcare professionals. Patients could then have a single reliable point of reference for standards and would be protected against the risk of poorly-trained practitioners and have redress for poor services.”(1)
The Society of Homeopaths considers that homeopathy is a discrete discipline. We wish to see homeopaths in autonomous practice, working to the highest standards, within agreed bounds of competence for the profession, in any context where homeopathy is a useful intervention.
We believe that a system of rigorous voluntary self-regulation delivered via a single register and regulatory body will show patients that the profession is appropriately educated and accountable.
What is Voluntary Self Regulation?
Voluntary Self-regulation means the profession regulates itself. It does this by putting the infrastructure and processes in place for:
- A single independent registering body
- A Governing Council, including lay members
- Agreed education standards
- Accreditation of homeopathy courses
- Continuing Professional Education
- Professional Insurance
- Code of Ethics and Practice
- Transparent Professional Conduct procedures
When the above are in place, the following guiding principles of regulation are then met:
- Patient Safety
- Simplicity and Cost Effectiveness
- Inclusiveness
- Proportionality
- Accountability
- Consistency
- Transparency
The Society already fulfils the requirements for a regulatory body. So why would a single register and regulatory body improve on what The Society already does?
There are currently 10 different registers for homeopaths in the UK. Each register has different regulatory processes and standards in place. This is confusing for members of the public and also for homeopaths.
Patient groups say that they want a single point of reference for CAM groups (2)
Why is homeopathy not considering Statutory Regulation?
Independent single statutory councils currently regulate osteopaths and chiropractors. Acupuncture, Herbal and Chinese Traditional Medicine groups are working with the Department of Health towards statutory regulation. It is expected that these groups will join the Health Professions Council. The government has indicated that it will next review regulation for healthcare in 2011.
The Society considers that this gives the homeopathy profession the opportunity to demonstrate it is a mature and responsible profession by achieving a robust system of voluntary self-regulation via a single register and regulatory body.
Why is homeopathy opting for a single register and regulatory body for homeopathy and not working with other CAM groups?
10 complementary professions are currently working in partnership with the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health to develop a federal model for voluntary self-regulation.
In 2006, the 10 homeopathy registers unanimously agreed to opt for a single register and regulatory body for homeopathy and so decided not to join the Foundation’s working group.
It’s now up to the profession to see that the single register and regulatory body is achieved.
References:
1) Government Response to House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology's Report on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. March 2001, 5124, page 6 Regulation, para6.
2) House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Written Evidence Received up to 1 February 2000, Consumers Association page 64 - 69.
