CNHC welcomes reflexologists

Who’s registering?

The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council –  CNHC - is beginning to register reflexologists.

The new voluntary regulator for the complementary healthcare sector opened its register in January 2009 with the registration of massage therapists. The register is now open to:

• Massage therapists
• Nutritional therapists
• Aromatherapists
• Reflexologists.

Yoga therapists and Shiatsu practitioners also will shortly be eligible for registration. Profession Specific Boards, that is, the professions’ explicit involvement in the work of the CNHC, have been formed for all 6 of these professional groups.

We expect that

• Cranial sacral practitioners
• Naturopaths
• Bowenpractitioners
• Reiki practitioners
• Alexander teachers

will be eligible for registration by the end of 2009.

Further discussions are taking place with:

• Micro- systems acupuncturists
• Hypnotherapists
• Professional Healers

with a view to possible registration in 2010.

 Why bother to register with CNHC?

 CNHC registration is increasingly being seen as the ‘gold standard’ for complementary healthcare. An increasing number of employers are anticipating making CNHC registration a requirement for employment – a move the Council welcomes in the public interest. Other healthcare professionals are also using CNHC registration as a pre-requisite when considering referrals.

How much does it cost?

Registration of a first qualification costs £30 if you register within 6 months of the register opening for that discipline, after that it will be £45. Registering further qualifications only costs £10 each up to a maximum of £60. Annual renewal is £45 for your first modality and £5 for each additional discipline up to a maximum of £60. 

What’s going on at CNHC?

The two CNHC professional committees – the Professional Standards Committee and the Conduct and Competence Committee - are now finalising their work programme for their first term of office. 

For the Professional Standards Committee, this means work on standards setting for:

• Criteria for new professional disciplines wishing to register
• CPD requirement for re-registration
• Consideration of accreditation issues
• Agreeing audit arrangements for various parts of the CNHC’s activity.

For the Conduct and Competence Committee, this means preparation for various roles within the CNHC’s fitness to practise processes. Currently training is being given by the Council’s lawyers on the appropriate management of any complaints, although we are pleased to report that no complaints have yet been made to CNHC.

The Finance Committee is monitoring the income and expenditure of the CNHC and has recently appointed auditors to undertake the necessary scrutiny work associated with a regulatory body.

Working with the Professional Associations

Many practitioners ask why they should be registered with CNHC when they already belong to a professional association. A very good question and one that CNHC has  addressed in its most recent leaflet entitled ‘Why register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council?’.

The answer lies in the different roles and functions of the two types of body. Basically the regulatory body exists in the interest of the public - ensuring that national standards are in place for education, training and practice; and also that there is a robust mechanism for managing complaints. The Professional Association, on the other hand, exists for the benefit of the practitioners, setting standards for professional practice and supporting practitioners in a number of ways. There is need for both types of body and CNHC supports collaborative working with the PAs at every opportunity.

The next CNHC/PA meeting is on Tuesday 17 November 2009. See the CNHC website for more details  or ring 020 178 2199.

Copies of the two CNHC leaflets: ‘An introduction to the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council’ and ‘Why register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council’ are available on request from info@cnhc.org.uk or ring 020 178 2199

Maggy Wallace,  CNHC Executive Chair