Contents:
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE ACUPUNCTURE SOCIETY
LOCAL AUTHORITY LICENSING
LOCAL AUTHORITY LICENSING EXEMPTION
SPECIAL TREATMENT LICENCE CRITERIA IN LONDON AREA
HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
WORKPLACE
FIRE REGULATIONS
SAFE STORAGE
SANITARY ACCOMODATION
WASTE DISPOSAL
CLINICAL HYGIENE
TREATMENT COUCHES
GOWNS AND TOWELS
NEEDLES, TRAYS, CUPS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
PERSONAL HYGIENE
MOBILE PRACTICE AND HOME VISITS
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
TREATMENT PROHIBITIONS
PROHIBITED TREATMENTS
INSURANCE
RECORD KEEPING
OBLIGATIONS TO CLIENTS
PRACTITIONER/ESTABLISHMENT INTEGRITY AND FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO CLIENTS
PROHIBITION OF IMMORAL CONDUCT
CONFIDENTIALITY
DATA PROTECTION ACT
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT/COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
ADVERTISING/PROMOTION
CRIMINAL RECORD DECLARATION
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
PROVISION OF TRAINING
SKILLS FOR HEALTH COMPETANCE REQUIREMENTS
ACUPUNCTURE SOCIETY CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE
RECOMMENDED FIRST AID COURSES
NATIONWIDE SHARPS COLLECTION SERVICE
CNHC ADVERTISING GUIDELINES
MACRWG STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY
MEMBERSHIP
SOCIETY ABREVIATIONS
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
ETHICS AND STANDARDS AND DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
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.
Practitioners working in areas outside of London not served by the London Local Authorities Act 1991 (section 4) must apply to their local Environmental Health Officer to obtain a Special treatments license.
If you are practicing in an area served by the London Local Authorities Act 1991 section (4). As a member of the Acupuncture Society you may be exempted from special treatment licencing.
Please contact your local authority Environmental Health Department to find out whether as an Acupuncture Society Member you are exempted from special treatment licensing.
Follow this link for Special treatment License criteria in the London area
http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200297/special_treatment_establishment_licences
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 hygienic 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 member's practices.
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.
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 in accordance with fire regulations.
Follow this link for UK Fire Safety regulation Advice
http://www.fire-riskassessment.com/fire-regulations.html
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.
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 paper towels. Practitioner Sinks must be in or close to the the treatment room and not be used for food or anything other than cleansing of practitioners hands for treatments.
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 and sharps disposal shall be arranged as appropriate.
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 and using anti bacterial gel . 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.
Should have wash down vinyl surface, with open face hole, removable headrest and vinyl covered pillows. Surfaces to be kept clean and free from blood residue and disposable paper towel roll must be used. To sterilize the couch and other surfaces dilution of Sodium Hypochlorite or Anti Bacterial spray is recommended.
To be changed and cleaned after each use and free from stains. Disposable paper towel roll must be used on treatment couches as opposed to cloth towels.
Any instrument which may have come into 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.
It must be autoclaved to manufacturer¹s specification and kept in a sterile environment before each use. Where autoclaves are used they must have an annual safety inspection certificate. 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.
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 vinyl or latex 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.
You must meet health and safety standards equivalent to working in a clinic.
If you transport equipment you must ensure that containers used for this purpose are of sufficient size, are designed to allow for separate storage of sterile and soiled equipment, and are lockable and tightly sealed when shut. And as far as possible, the treatment is carried out in a well lit, clean room with ready access to a clean washhand basin; take with you appropriate cleaning agents, hand disinfectants, and a hygienic means of hand drying; take clean couch rolls and paper towels for covering work surfaces in the home and ensure that the bed/couch is covered by a clean cover; and general hygeine is established.
Use in a portable sharps container; any soiled or contaminated non-sharps items are disposed of in the appropriate manner; other waste products are carefully bagged separately for disposal in line with local environmental health department guidelines. Ensure that your patient is well enough before you leave.
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 not conduct nor permit any person to administer any treatments unless particulars of the training and qualifications are recognized by the Society.
Herbal Medicines must be of the highest quality, clean, not fermented, polluted or out of date.
Controlled or toxic substances, endangered species, minerals and animal parts must not be used. Patent remedies without product licenses cannot be used nor can prescriptions made up by third parties.
All TCM, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal member practitioners also including those members practicing Oriental, Thai, Chinese, Tuina and Acupressure massage must always work within their Scope of Practice of thier training.
Clients shall not be treated whilst under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other toxic substances, nor if they haven't eaten or taken their prescribed medication. 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 with the Code of Ethics, Rules and Regulations of the Society.
Patients should not be treated if they have consumed alcohol or combinations of alcohol, prescribed or recreational drugs or if they haven't eaten two to three hours prior to treatment. They should have also taken their prescribed medicine to the prescribed dose prior to treatment. Patients should be treated whilst they are lying on the treatment couch and not whilst sitting on a chair as this will reduce the risk of syncope.
Abortion. Pregnancy related symptoms against the advice of a midwife or a medical doctor. Controlled infectious disease which require hospitalization in isolation. Treatment for cancer and other serious diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure, thyroid or any other conditions requiring medication should not be offered as a replacement to conventional medical treatment.
Members must not practice without adequate professional indemnity, public liability and product cover insurance and must produce evidence of cover annually.
Follow the below link for Acupuncture Society Recommended Professional Indemnity Insurers
http://www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk/practice-insurance/
It is a requirement of insurers that client consultation records are taken and retained for a period of seven years. This is to protect you in the event of a claim being made against you.
The records should as a minimum have the client's full name, date of consultation and notes on the lifestyle/medical history where appropriate to the treatment being given.
It should include a brief description of the therapy or treatment, details of medication, and previous operations and allergic reactions. If there is an unusual reaction to the therapy or treatment this needs to be also noted. Full details of treatment given and reactions and benefits reported by patients to such treatment.
Practitioners must be honest to their patients, not mislead, nor give advice beyond thier scope of expertise. Patients must not be given 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 of the Acupuncture Society. 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.
It is a requirement of members and the establishments where they are in practice to not overcharge patient clients, they must to give refunds within 2 weeks where a client was not satisfied with a particular treatment or a practitioner, and that patient has made a written/verbal complaint, or where payments have been made in advance for a course of treatment and the patient wishes to cancel.
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, except during an appropriate examination with a female assistant present or with the consent of the patient when such examination is relevant to the treatment of a particular condition. Female practitioners must make sure that male genital areas are kept covered during treatments and also comply with the above requirements. Client dignity and modesty must be observed at all times. Acupuncture Society members must not provide any sexual services to patients or abuse them sexually during or after treatments. Any complaints received from patients will be taken very seriously and will result in expulsion from the society or be reported to the Police for futher investigation.
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).
Members must comply with the Data Protection Act see the link below for details
https://www.gov.uk/data-protection/the-data-protection-act
Data Protection Policy
We do not share your confidential information with third parties for the puposes of advertising or promotions, you can login to your listing on the home page of our website and set your preferences for which information you wish to be displayed on our find a practioner search service.
Please check your listed information here by searching using your surname and let us know if you are having any problems logging in and ammending any of your published details. Our newletters are only used to advise on useful professional information directly concerning your membership and practice
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.
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 medical claims in thier litrature or websites which are not substatiated by reseach trails, about the efficacy of treatments. Please refer to Advertising Standards Authority Guidelines. Unsubstantiated claims cannot be made on your website or promotional material.
http://cap.org.uk/Advice-Training-on-the-rules/Advice-Online-Database/Therapies-Acupuncture.aspx
Any advertising you undertake in relation to your professional activities must
be accurate. Advertisements must not be misleading, false, unfair or
exaggerated. You must not claim that your personal skills, equipment or
facilities are better than anyone else's.
If you are involved in advertising or promoting any other product or service,
you must make sure that you use your knowledge, health care skills,
qualifications and experience in an accurate and professionally responsible
way. You must not make or support unjustifiable statements relating to
particular products or services. Any potential financial rewards to you should
be made explicit and play no part at all in your advice or recommendations of
products and services that you give to patients, clients and users.
If in doubt check ASA and CAP
http://cap.org.uk/Advice-Training-on-the-rules/Advice-Online-Database/Therapies-Acupuncture.aspx
To get copy advice from ASA that your leaflets and promotional online and offline material is compliant within 24 hours (this is a free service)
Please call 0207 492 2100 or visit http://www.cap.org.uk/Advice-Training-on-the-rules.aspx
ASA Website http://www.asa.org.uk/
Your criminal record must be declared on our application form prior to joining the Society and we must be made aware of any new criminal record established after joining the Society.
Members should be of English Language Proficiency Level 7. Where this is not the case a translator with this same level of English language proficiency must be present during all consultations with the patient. Where formal qualifications are lacking such members must apply to the society for an interview with our communications assessment board so that we can establish whether their English language skills are sufficient to enable accurate communication between practitioner and patient.
Members are required annually to attend CPD seminars, classes and lectures in order to keep up to date with current professional standards and develop their practitioner skills. Members are also expected to keep up to date with new research and developments within the profession and to submit their CPD log (15 hours Minimum annual CPD requirement) with their annual membership renewal.
Follow the link below for Skills for Health Competencies
http://www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk/skills-for-health-requirements/
Follow the link below for Acupuncture Society Code of Safe Practice
http://www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk/code-of-safe-practice/
Follow the link below for Acupuncture Society recommended First Aid courses
http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/training-courses.aspx
Follow thelink below for Acupuncture Society recommended Sharps Collection Service
http://www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk/sharps-collection/
Follow the link below for the CNHC Advertising Guidelines
http://www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk/pdf/advertising6-046.pdf
Follow the link below for MACRWG Standards of Proficiency
Membership to be renewed on an annual basis subject to compliance with the Society's Code of Ethics and Rules and Regulations. 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 except whilst undertaking required case studies for a particular course in class or at home, they must have prior registered as a student members and obtained student insurance cover. They are not allowed to use the Society abbreviations after their names.
The annual membership fees are:
1) Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine - £100 (includes full body Acupuncture and/or Chinese Herbal Medicine and all TCM auxiliary therapies)
2) Specific use Acupuncture - £100 (includes Specific use Acupuncture and TCM and Oriental massage auxiliary therapies):
• Spinal Acupuncture
• Auricular Acupuncture
• Orthopaedic Acupuncture
• Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture
• Derma Roller Practitioner
• Clinical Acupuncture
• Korean Hand Acupuncture
3) Oriental Massage Therapies - £50 (includes Oriental Massage/Healing and auxilary therapies)
• Meridian Stretch Massage - £50
• Qi Gong- £50
• Korean Hand Massage - £50
• Oriental Diagnosis - £50
• Acupressure/Tuina/Thai/Oriental and Chinese Massage - £50
• Cupping therapy - £50
• Oriental Orthopaedic Massage Therapist - £50
Practitioners must only apply for membership in therapies for which they are qualified/certified in, and are obliged under our ethical rules to work within their scope of practice and to refer on to a more
suitable therapist/doctor when the clients condition is not appropriate for their particular type of treatment
Student/CCM graduate and Affiliate Membership
Student members are not entitled to practice until they have received their qualification certificate except under supervision or during home case study assignments for which they have arranged student cover. They are not allowed to use the Society Abbreviations until they have been accepted as a practicing member & they must have read the societies code of ethics & conduct and completed the CCM Student/Graduate membership application form prior to commencement of their particular courses.
Student cover for home assignments can be arranged click here for student insurance details (this must be done prior to treating other students on home assignments)
Membership can be suspended at any time pending an investigation on conduct matters or due to breaches of this Ethical Code.
• MAcS TCM - Full TCM Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• FAcS - Fellow of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS CHM - Member Practitioner of Chinese Herbal Medicine.
• MAcS AU - Auricular Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS AP - Acupressure Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS CM - Chinese Massage Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS CA - Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS DM - Dermaroller Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS OA - Orthopaedic Acupuncture Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS SP - Spinal Acupuncture Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS CL - Clinical Acupuncture Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS QG - Qi Gong Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS KHA - Korean Hand Acupuncture Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS KHM - Korean Hand Massage Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS MSM - Meridian Stretch Massage Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS CP - Cupping Therapy Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS OD - Oriental Diagnosis Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS TUI - Tuina Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS OM - Oriental Massage Member of The Acupuncture Society.
• MAcS OVM - Overseas Oriental Treatment Therapist Member of The Acupuncture Society
Members may be called on to attend disciplinary meetings with the Ethics and Standards Committee following an ethical complaint from a patient or another pratitioner. 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.
Follow the link below to view our Disciplinary, Complaints and Appeals Procedures
The current members of the Ethics and Standards and Disciplinary Committee are:
Galina Zangana
Paul Brecher
Amanda Shayle
Kirsten Dhar
Dragomir Lubomirov
Paul Robin
Membership of the Ethics and Standards and Disciplinary 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.
An Oriental Massage Practitioner should be able to demonstrate that they:
1. know and comply with their Professional the Acupuncture Society's Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics.
2. keep clear and appropriate records.
3. know cautionary techniques, and conditions requiring special consideration.
4. can Offer appropriate lifestyle recommendations.
5. follow an accurate and apropriate assessment procedure.
6. Use appropriate and accurate techniques.
7. can demonstrate reflective practice.
9. are working within the scope of practice of thier training.
10. have certificate or diploma qualification recognised by the Acupucture Society.
11. carry upto date professional indemnity/ public liability insurance cover.
12. have a minimum of anatomy and physiology level 3.
13. have attended a first aid course.
14. can refer clients to a more approriate practitioner or a doctor when out of thier scope of practice.
15. can refer clients to thier GP if any symptoms presented are not understood or are potentially dangerous.
16. have undertaken the required CPD course hours anually and submitted them on the Society's Log.