Acupuncture at St Albans

This pilot project allows people with osteoarthritis of the knee - including those who would usually be eligible for surgery - to elect to have six weekly western acupuncture in groups at one of two GP surgeries in St Albans.  The PCT is monitoring outcomes and cost-effectiveness of the project.  The majority of patients are over 50 and most report being able to keep the joint moving, less pain and being able to function well without surgery.

What kind of organisations do this work?

The scheme is by doctor referral, following hospital scans of the knee.  The acupuncture is provided by practice nurses who are trained to insert five needles in the same places on the leg of each patient. 

This scheme is part of wider integrated plans at Midway Surgery. Dr Michael Cannell says 'we have been using acupuncture and homeopathy  for our NHS patients for over fifteen years. Four doctors practice acupuncture and one of these also provides homeopathic and nutritional treatments. We are a busy regular NHS GP practice and have been a training practice since 1986. We regard our holistic integration of complementary therapies with conventional medicine and our long standing educational ethos as useful components of high quality care for our patients'.

Read more about the project here.