Code of Ethics

Rules and Regulations of The Acupuncture Society

The Acupuncture Society has the right to expect that all of its members conduct their professional activities in accordance with the Code of Ethics, Rules and Regulations of the Society.

LOCAL AUTHORITY LICENSING

Practitioners must apply to Environmental Health Officer for granting of Special treatments license unless exempted.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

All practitioners must comply with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and appropriate supporting regulations to ensure a safe and hygiene place of work for themselves, their colleagues and their clients. The following are the basic standards required to comply with the above Act and are considered the minimum standards expected by the Society for all its members¹ practices.

Workplace

Floors, passages and stairways must be of sound construction, properly maintained and free from obstruction.  Electrical equipment will be maintained in an efficient and safe condition and suitable for use. The provision and  maintenance of a comprehensive first aid kit is required in all workplaces. All workplaces shall have suitable and  sufficient lighting, heating and ventilation provided and maintained as appropriate.

Fire

Appropriate fire precautions shall be maintained at all times. Means of escape in case of fire shall be maintained and shall be kept free from obstruction at all times.

Storage

Adequate provision for storage shall be provided for all equipment and items required for treatment. All storage must be suitably clean and in such a place so as to avoid any risk of contamination.

Sanitary Accommodation

The sanitary accommodation shall be provided and maintained in a clean and hygienic condition. The accommodation must be supplied with a conveniently accessible washing facility which includes the provision of hot and cold water or water at suitably controlled temperature, soap, and towels.

Waste Disposal

All waste material and other litter shall be placed in a suitable covered leak proof receptacle and arrangements shall be made with a commercial waste disposal company for removal as and when necessary. Arrangements for clinical waste disposal shall be arranged as appropriate.

Clinical Hygiene

All parts of the premises used in connection with acupuncture and herb treatments must be kept clean and in such good repair as to enable them to be effectively cleaned. All tables, couches and seats used for the treatment of clients shall have smooth impervious surfaces which is thoroughly cleaned using a suitable disinfectant at the end of each working day and after any spillage on the surface. Where appropriate the skin in the area of the needle piercing site must be appropriately cleansed. Prior to conducting acupuncture the practitioner will wash his/her hands and forearms with soap and hot water, drying with clean disposable towels. A wash hand basin with continuous supplies of hot and cold water or water at suitably controlled temperature, with adequate supplies of soap, towels and nailbrushes must be provided in each treatment room.

Treatment Couches

Should be at waist height with wash down vynyl surface, with open face hole, removable headrest and vynyl covered pillows. Surfaces to be kept clean and free from blood residue and disposable paper towel roll must be used. To sterilise the couch and other surfaces dilution of Sodium Hypochlorite is recommended.

Gowns and Towels

To be changed and cleaned after each use and free from stains as appropriate. Disposable paper towel roll must be used as opposed to cloth towels.

Needles, Trays, Cups and other instruments

Any instrument which may come in direct contact with skin or blood must be immersed after each use in a recommended dilution of Sodium Hypochlorite for at least one hour or Autoclaved. Must be autoclaved to manufacturer¹s specification and kept in sterile environment before each use. No direct or indirect contact with blood to be made between each use. Needles and other disposable instruments must be pre-packed and pre-sterilised and only used once before proper disposal in a puncture and leak-proof box that is clearly marked ³sharps¹. The box and its contents must be disposed of in a manner approved for clinical waste.

Personal Hygiene

Hands and Finger nails must be scrubbed clean with antibacterial soaps between each patient. Paper masks must be used when in close contact with patients and whilst administering moxibustion. Use sterilised plastic disposable gloves during needle insertion and withdrawal or sterilised cotton wool technique as appropriate. Disposable hand towels are recommended. Plastic gloves must be worn when examining skin disease. Refrain from smoking or consuming food in the treatment area.

Non Clinic Acupuncture Treatments

When administering acupuncture outside the normal clinical environment the recommended sterilization and hygiene procedure mentioned above must be adhered to.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Details of medication must be taken. Possible side effects and known effects in combinations of herbs and medication must be considered. Acupuncture or Herbal Medicine must not be prescribed if a patients condition is not fully understood or is likely to be critical or non responsive to treatment. Such patients must be referred to contact their General Practitioner and treatment is to be declined. Practitioners must give professional considered advice when consulting patients and must not overcharge, mislead or continue to treat patients for prolonged treatment courses without beneficial treatment results. Practitioners associated to the Acupuncture Society will conduct nor permit any person to administer any treatments unless particulars of the training and qualifications are recognised by the Society. Herbal Medicines must be of the highest quality, clean, not fermented, polluted or out of date. Controlled or toxic substances and endangered species must not be used. The client shall not be treated if under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances. The practitioner shall ensure that adequate records of treatments are kept.  The Acupuncture Society has the right to expect that all of its members conduct their professional activities in accordance witt the Code of Ethics, Rules and Regulations of the Society.

INSURANCE

Members must not practice without adequate professional indemnity, public liability and product cover insurance and must produce evidence of cover annually.

PROHIBITED TREATMENTS

Abortion. Pregnancy related symptoms against the advice of a midwife or a medical doctor. Controlled infectious disease which require hospitalisation in isolation. Treatment for cancer and other serious diseases should not be offered as a replacement to conventional medical treatment.

TREATMENT PROHIBITIONS

Patients should not be treated if they have consumed alchole or alchole whilst on medication. Patients must have eaten two to three hours prior to treatment.

OBLIGATIONS TO CLIENTS

Practitioners must be honest to their patients, not mislead, nor give unqualified advice. Patients must not be led on to receive prolonged courses of treatment without encouraging results. Records of patients medical history and their treatment progress must be kept. Practitioners must not advice patients to stop medication or other medical treatments without first consulting with their GP or Specialist. Patient complaints concerning the conduct of members must be forwarded to the Ethics and Standards Committee. Practitioners must always give their full attention whilst engaged with a patient and provide safe and suitable treatments to the best of their ability. Practitioners who have doubts about their ability to achieve results in a particular case must refer the patient to a more experienced practitioner or to their GP, whichever is appropriate.

PROHIBITION OF IMMORAL CONDUCT

Members must not make any sexual passes or comments to patients under their care. In the case of male practitioners treating female patients, the genital area and breasts should always be kept covered, exempt during an examination with a female assistant present. Female practitioners must make sure that male genital areas are kept covered during treatments. Client dignity and modesty must be observed at all times.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The purpose of confidentiality is to enable patients to speak of matters which they might otherwise feel unable to be open about. Within The Acupuncture Society confidentiality applies to patient therapy sessions, consultations and treatment records (unless whilst under investigation by the Ethics and Standards Committee).

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT/COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES

Members should keep proper business records and conduct their affairs in a legal and responsible manner. Self-employed practitioners must submit annual accounts to the Tax Office.

ADVERTISING/PROMOTION

Copies of advertisements/promotional material which refer to The Acupuncture Society must be submitted for approval prior to publication. Members cannot officially speak on behalf of The Society unless they are appointed as representatives. Copies of advertisements/promotional material must be kept on file. Care must be taken by members not to make false claims about the success of treatments or to imply that any treatment is a total cure in every case.

PROVISION OF TRAINING

Members will be required from time to time to attend further teaching seminars and lectures in order to keep up to date with current professional standards. Members are expected to keep up to date with new research and developments within the profession.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership to be renewed on an annual basis subject to compliance with the Society's Code of Ethics and Rules and Regulations. The annual membership fee is £100. Membership can be suspended at any time pending an investigation on conduct matters or due to breaches of the Code of Ethics, Rules and Regulations. Student members are not entitled to practice until they have received their qualification certificate and are adequately insured. They are not allowed to use the Society abbreviations after their names.

SOCIETY ABREVIATIONS

 MAcS - Member of The Acupuncture Society.

 FAcS - Fellow of The Acupuncture Society.

 MPCHM - Member Practitioner of Chinese Herbal Medicine.

 MAcSAu - Auricular Member of The Acupuncture Society.

 MAcSAp - Acupressure Member of The Acupuncture Society.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

Members may be called on to attend disciplinary meetings with the Ethics and Standards Committee from time to time. The Committee reserves the right to withdraw or suspend membership with immediate effect. Members found in breach of the Society Code of Ethics, Rules and Regulations are subject to immediate suspension pending Committee investigation.

ETHICS AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE

The current members of the Ethics and Standards Committee are:

 Galina Zangana

 Paul Brecher

 Peter Stavrides

 Dragomir Lubomirov

 Paul Robin

Membership of the Ethics and Standards Committee to be reviewed annually or pending investigation of a Committee member. The Code of Ethics of the Acupuncture Society may be updated from time to time.