Regulating complementary medicine implications for the nursing profession

Abstract

In any healthcare profession, orthodox or complementary, quality of care, treatment and patient safety must be given the highest priority. The establishment of effective systems of professional regulation is seen by many as essential in order for this to happen. This paper outlines the case for improving systems of statutory and voluntary self-regulation in the complementary sector and charts the progress and current developments in a number of therapies towards that end. The impact of an independent, non-governmental organisation, The Prince of Wales's Foundation for Integrated Health, in driving forward this process, is discussed. Nurses, as part of any modern multidisciplinary healthcare team, need to be aware of the advances and current issues emerging in this sector and the increasing need for their profession to be involved in shaping future developments.