Complementary medicine is the term used to describe a range of therapies (chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture etc.) which people may choose as an alternative to conventional Western medicine (or more usually alongside conventional medicine). Large numbers of people in the UK choose complimentary therapies as a routine form of health care. A national opinion poll carries out in 1985 found that 13% of the population had actually used alternative medicines at some time, and its popularity is till growing.

Only a very limited amount of complementary medicine is available on the NHS.

Fundholding general practitioners may directly employ complementary therapists within their practice staff. Non fundholding general practitioners may employ such therapists subject to their Family Health Services Authority's agreement to pay for the service.

Some GPs are trained in one or more complementary therapies themselves (this could be a factor in choosing your GP). Others employ complementary practitioners within the health centre or surgery. If you are lucky enough to have this option you may be able to get free treatment within the practice.

Homeopathy is the only form of complementary medicine which is generally available on the NHS. There are several homeopathic hospitals which take NHS referrals from GPs. Beyond this the use of complementary therapies within hospitals depends very much on the interests and attitudes of the medical and nursing staff. In some places acupuncture is used for pain relief. Some hospitals use aromatherapy as an alternative to sleeping pills. Some hospital chaplains offer healing by laying on of hands.

Most people who consult a complementary practitioner do so on a private paying basis. It is very important to check the credentials of the practitioners before starting any treatment (or parting with any money). Most therapies have their own professional body (eh. British Homeopathic Association) and you should check that the practitioner is a registered member. You can find out about professional bodies for complementary therapies from the organisations listed below.

Institute for Complementary Medicine
PO Box 194
London SE16 1QZ

Tel: 0171 237 5165

runs the British Register of Complimentary Practitioners and can provide information on training in complementary therapies.

British Holistic Medical Association
Trust House
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital South
Shrewsbury
Shropshire SY3 8XS

Tel: 01743 261155

is a professional body for medically qualified practitioners.

• Holistic Health in the United Kingdom - contains a searchable directory of over 100 alternative and complementary therapies, their associations, schools, publications and practitioners.
• The Homeopathy Home Page - provides a collection of all the homeopathic resources available on the Internet.
• Homeopathy Online - is a very impressive monthly journal of homeopathic medicine.

A Complete List of Complementary Medicine References is maintained by the Synergistic Health Center.