Jan
28
A skeptic doctor strongly recommends acupuncture to improve IVF success rate
Posted by Dr Vitalis Acupuncture in acupuncture, female infertility, IVF, New Zealand
Medical researcher Dr Shaun Holt used to belong to New Zealand skeptic society, an organisation known for being critical of acupuncture. Dr Holt reviewed a lot of research on natural medicine and as a result has changed his opinion about some of the natural medicines. Yesterday he appeared on TV endorsing acupuncture as very safe and effective treatment for back pain, headaches and improving success rate of IVF (in vitro fertilisation). Watch the report on TVNZ.
[Comment: this is an older post pulled from archives]
Aug
8
Regulation and registration of Acupuncture under New Zealand law (HPCA Act)
Posted by Dr Vitalis Acupuncture in acupuncture, acupuncture registration, acupuncturists, HPCA Act, New Zealand
This Wednesday (Aug 8, 2007) New Zealand Minister of Health has approved acupuncture as an additional profession for inclusion in the scope of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCAA) 2003.
Once acupuncturists are regulated and required to be registered, the standard of acupuncture in New Zealand will significantly improve. Currently one does not need any formal qualification to practice acupuncture in NZ. If you have seen acupuncture on TV, you can probably open a clinic. It may take anywhere between a few months and a couple of years before acupuncture is regulated.
In New Zealand there is a number of acupuncturists who are not fluent in English. These practitioners violate the patients’ Right to Effective Communication. It may become illegal for these acupuncturists to practice acupuncture under the new law.
The new registration and regulation of acupuncture under the HPCA Act to ensure that:
- acupuncturists have the right qualifications to provide their services
- maintain and develop acupuncture skills and competence
- acupuncturist are physically and mentally able to work
Currently acupuncture industry is self-regulated. There are a few organisations offering voluntary membership including New Zealand Register of Acupuncture Incorporated and New Zealand Acupuncture Standards Authority Incorporated. Membership in either of these organisations allows its members to become ACC acupuncture providers. Currently neither of the organisations has an authority to register an acupuncture practitioner as a health care provider under HPCA Act, even though their names may imply the opposite.
Update (10 June 2010):
From NZ Register of Acupuncture newsletter: “…we have been asked to reapply for regulation under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act. Although Acupuncture was approved in 2007, the subsequent review and the recommendations which came out of the review have meant that we need to resubmit our application to show that we meet the new criteria… “
Unfortunately acupuncture regulation is delayed again!
Update (4 November 2011)
From NZ Acupuncture Standards Authority newsletter: *no decision about regulation will be made this year*, and further information has been called for regarding blended authorities. The Minister has clearly stated that no new Boards/Councils will be established, and therefore Chinese Medicine must be blended into an existing HPCA registration Board or Council.
This means that a current HPCA Board/Council will have to agree to host Chinese Medicine. This agreement will form part of the advice given to the Minister of Health.
Once the Ministry has completed its processes, the final decision regarding regulation is in the hands of the Minister of Health, regardless of the advice and recommendation from the Ministry of Health team.
Dec
15
New Zealand GPs embrace acupuncture
Posted by Dr Vitalis Acupuncture in acupuncture, acupuncturists, New Zealand
Survey of 300 GPs revealed that 95% of doctors referred patients to one or more forms of complementary and alternative medicines, while 20% practiced forms themselves.
The type most commonly performed by GPs is acupuncture.
The research was published in a medical journal on Friday.