Prescription for natural healing

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In the recent past getting a prescription for natural healing therapies on the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK was difficult but now that is starting to change.

Photo courtesy of Nick Russill

Why? Well I'd suggest it's because there is a great demand from patients looking for alternative treatment over a number years and finally they are starting to listen.

It does not mean ALL doctors are willing to give prescription for natural healing therapies, but hey, it's a start.

They have compiled a directory of Complementary and Alternative practitioners which they are currently updating. http://www.nhsdirectory.org

A one year pilot scheme in Northern Ireland found that alternative medicine may offer considerable improvements in health to NHS patients.

713 patients received complementary and alternative medicine treatments after being referred by their GP. 79% reported that their mental health had improved, 81% saw an improvement in their physical health.

84% linked improvements in their wellbeing and health to the alternative medicine treatment that they received. 94% stated they would suggest it to others

The 713 patients had either mental health or musculoskeletal conditions and were from different demographic backgrounds and a varied in age. They were referred to natural healing therapies by 9 GP practices in Londonderry and Belfast. These therapies included

• Aromatherapy
• Massage
• Reflexology
• Homeopathy
• Acupuncture
• Osteopathy
• Chiropractic

Get Well UK's aim is to improve the access to alternative therapies on the NHS and they are a social enterprise and it was they who implemented this scheme.

Boo Armstrong, the founder of Get Well UK said:

"The results from this project speak for themselves - complementary therapies improve health and save money. These findings are consistent with other service evaluation from across the UK. A personalised health service will need protocols to include complementary therapies."

Melanie Prince, the Marketing Manager of the Federation of Holistic Therapists, said:

"We are thrilled but not surprised by the findings which confirm that complementary therapies do have a positive effect upon patient well-being.

With around 20,000 members the FHT, through our members, offers many of the complementary therapies that have proven so successful in this report.

We hope that this research will be used by GPs and health professionals throughout the UK to offer patients complementary therapy, as part of their NHS treatment"

The whole report can be viewed at the following link

http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hss/complementary-alternative-medicine.htm

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