Complementary Medicine Gains Ground in UK Healthcare

Liz Davies, a secretary, was prescribed acupuncture for her sinusitis after conventional treatments failed, and she credits the six sessions with curing her condition. Her company's health policy, Clinicare, covered the treatment, as long as the practitioner was recognized and the problem identifiable. This is not an isolated case, with one in four people seeking medical treatment now opting for alternative practitioners.

Key Takeaways:

• One in four people seeking medical treatment opt for alternative practitioners, with many consulting GPs for referrals to these treatments.
• Most leading health insurers have problems with complementary medicine, only paying for treatments if the patient is referred by a GP.
• Two-thirds of GPs will and do recommend the four most professionally organized alternative treatments: osteopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, and homeopathy.
• Younger doctors are more likely to be sympathetic to unconventional treatments, with 95% of GPs in some areas receiving requests for information about these treatments.
• Alternative treatments are often more successful for issues like recurring tension headaches and stress-related illnesses.
• Some therapists in reflexology and herbalism may set themselves up after minimal training, raising concerns about professional standards.
• Insurance companies are hesitant to back complementary medicine due to the lack of standards, but the demand is still there.
• Bupa estimates that up to 10% of their claims are now going towards alternative treatments.
• The Hale Clinic in London has launched an insurance policy covering conventional, alternative, and preventative medicine, which has been popular with traditional City firms.

Statistics:

• One in four people seeking medical treatment now opt for alternative practitioners.
• 95% of GPs in some areas have been asked for information about unconventional treatments.
• Up to 10% of Bupa's claims are now going towards alternative treatments.
• Bupa has seen a slight increase in payments for alternative treatments due to consultants recommending them.
• The Hale Clinic's new insurance policy has been particularly popular with traditional City firms.

Sources:

• The Sunday Times, 1994