Sense at last on integrated health

Integrated health means bringing together mainstream medical science with the best of complementary therapies so that patients can benefit from both – and have more say in their treatment at the same time. For instance, acupuncture has been successful in controlling pain for many patients with arthritis and can be used alongside conventional treatment.

Sadly, though, some traditionalists insist that complementary therapies and alternative approaches to treatment should never be allowed in the NHS.

Now a new, year long trial supported by the Northern Ireland health service has added to evidence that the traditionalists are wrong. It has demonstrated that integrating complementary and conventional medicine brings measurable benefits to patients’ health:

  • For 65% of the patients, their doctors reported a significant improvement in health;
  • Half the GPs said they had been able to reduce prescribed medication and the same number that their patients needed less frequent referral to hospital;
  • Four out of ten patients reported an improvement in symptoms, 81% said their general health and well-being had improved and 55% said they had been able to reduce their use of pain killers.


The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health was closely involved in setting up the trial, which was then implemented by Get Well UK, a not-for-profit supplier of complementary healthcare.

It involved NHS GPs offering selected complementary therapies to two groups of patients: those with musculo-skeletal conditions and people with mild to moderate mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress. The therapies included acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, reflexology and aromatherapy, all administered by local practitioners. More than 700 patients took part.

Dr Michael Dixon, the Foundation’s Medical Director, said:

'The Northern Ireland health service should be congratulated for their open-mindedness in carrying out this study.

'Patients have clearly benefited – and so has the health service. Reduced prescribing and less need for hospital treatment has saved NHS money.

'What’s more, all the GPs involved wanted to continue practising integrated healthcare with the option to refer their patients for complementary therapies. That’s a ringing endorsement.

'This trial shows that an integrated approach is practical and works in well in NHS primary care. We hope that integrated services will now be provided to the wider population in Northern Ireland.

ENDS

Notes to editors:
1. For more information and for interviews with Dr Dixon, please contact Pat Goodall, 01246 410707 or p.goodall@fih.org.uk
2. The full study can be found on the Northern Ireland government’s website at: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/final_report_from_smr_on_the_cam_pilot_project_-_may_2008.pdf 
3. The service was delivered by Get Well UK. Independent evaluation was carried out by Social & Market Research. Additional information can be found at: www.getwelluk.com
4. This study was not a clinical trial of CAM therapies, nor did it seek to compare conventional treatments with CAM. It was an evaluation of a clinical service.
5. It involved 713 patients at nine GP practices in Belfast and Londonderry.
6. More information about Integrated Health can be found at: www.fih.org.uk