Awareness and practice of complementary therapies in hospital and community settings within Essex in the United Kingdom

High-quality care is focused on client's individualized needs, based on current government initiatives (Making a Difference, 2000; Government response to the House of Lords select committee's report on complementary and alternative medicine, CM5124, The Stationary Office, London) (NHS Choice Agenda 2004). Following the Patient's charter (DoH, 1991) and the more recent NHS Plan (2001), service users are no longer intimidated by the authority-based structure and speak out against various decisions and the right to take part in decision-making. This study investigated the awareness of complementary therapies by healthcare professionals currently employed by a local healthcare Trust. Data were also gathered on qualifications in complementary therapy and hospital and community sites of practice. We found a mismatch between the referrals staff recommended to clients and the treatment available within the practice areas. On the basis of our findings, we developed a new policy [Richardson J, Brennan AM. Complementary therapies in the N.H.S. service development in a local district general hospital. Complement Ther Nursing Midwifery 1995;1:89-92[38]] for the provision of complementary therapies within the local health service.