Supplements to the Memorandum of Association

   It is important to state that the NMS does not endorse any specific therapy, treatment or medicine. It is a consumer organisation, representing consumer interest and their right to freedom of choice in medicine. The objective of the Society, whilst working towards patient access to the treatment of their choice, is to ensure to the best of its ability that any alternative or complementary treatments available to the public should cause no harm. In pursuit of this, the Society will encourage manufacturers to provide products of good quality and practitioners to practise their therapy competently. Both to behave in a manner which does not jeopardise public health nor mislead the consumer.

Practitioners of Non-Conventional Medicine

   In the interests of patients, training in all therapeutic disciplines must be geared to provide a high standard. However, the level ot training necessary will vary from one discipline to another, and it is not for the Society to set these levels, but to encourage each of the professions to do so.

For the protection of the public, the Society would encourage:

   all of the alternative & complementary therapies to develop high standards for their profession and to work towards either self- or statutory regulation

   each professional therapy organisation to undertake research to demonstrate the efficacy of their treatments

   each organisation to set professional standards for their discipline, such as:

a] a professional organisation for each individual therapy
b] verifiable training standards leading to competence in practice and recognised qualifications
c] Register of qualified practitioners
d] Code of Ethics and Practice
e] Insurance cover - both Professional Indemnity and Public Liability
f] Complaints procedure which should be easily accessible