NHS pilot offers alternative therapies

The Secretary of State, Peter Hain has today launched a £200,000 pilot scheme, in which patients can receive complementary and alternative therapies as part of their NHS Treatment.

Patients in the two pilot areas of Belfast and Derry will be able to avail of therapies such as osteopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage and homeopathy.

The pilot will initially focus on two challenging areas within selected GP practices: musculoskeletal problems and depression, stress and anxiety.

Launching the pilot, Peter Hain said: "This initiative puts Northern Ireland at the forefront within the UK in exploring and delivering a model that genuinely embraces complementary and alternative therapies within mainstream healthcare. By funding such treatment through the NHS it will allow those in need to have it when they could not easily afford it privately.

"It is about giving patients the widest possible choice of safe and effective healthcare. I am certain, as a user of complementary medicine myself, that this has the potential to improve health substantially."

He continued: "For the first time, GPs will be able to refer patients directly to a complementary therapist if they feel their patient could benefit from the treatment and indeed if it is the patient's wish. It will bring together both the mainstream and complementary sectors in what I hope will be the start of a process which will lead to full roll-out across the province."

The Secretary of State concluded: "This is the first fund of its kind in the UK. I am delighted that Northern Ireland is leading the way in integrating complementary and alternative therapies into the National Health Service."

The pilot scheme will be administered on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety by Get Well UK, who has a proven and unique track record in providing a professional interface between GPs, patients and complementary therapy practitioners.

It will be available to patients registered with participating GP'S attached to the Community Treatment and Care Centre, Hollywood Arches, East Belfast and Racecourse Medical, Shantallow Health Centre, Londonderry and will run for one year and will then be evaluated to determine the further roll out of complementary therapies across the Province.

(EF)