Much ado about:
voluntary regulation

The issues surrounding Compulsory (Statutory) and voluntary regulation are moving into sharper focus and it becomes obvious that far from being much about nothing the real issue is nothing less than who ultimately will control your therapy – will it be trained practising therapists or anonymous government officials imposing what they think is appropriate.

What is clear is that our National Government is determined, with good reason, to regulate the provision of therapies within the United Kingdom and that regulation should merge with other European legislation.
We acknowledge that there is a good case for regulation but it surely has to be based on valid professional considerations including training codes of ethics and of practice etc. Equally it is essential that it does not debar, for any reason, the professionally trained and competent practitioner. The regulatory process must result in a high standard service throughout the multitude of therapies and treatments providing effective treatments by thoroughly trained, and contented professional therapists.

CURRENT INFORMATION

Much of the current information comes from the perspective of Therapy associations that are already co-operating, communicating and negotiating with each other and, in some cases, have already made considerable efforts to establish common standards within their professional disciplines.

In this issue we aim to clarify some of the issues effecting the independent and most likely multi-disciplinary practitioner.

Mobile phone dangers

Radio wave emissions from mobile phones form part of the electro-magnetic spectrum which encompasses UV radiation, microwaves, X rays, gamma Rays and visible light.

The electro-magnetic spectrum includes all wave emissions from gamma and X rays, which are shortwave, high frequency and energy emissions through the UV wavelengths the visible light spectrum to infra-red and the relatively long wave, low frequency and energy emissions of the radio wavelengths.

Thousands of column inches have been published in newspapers and magazines giving the results of studies on the safety of mobile phones which invariably have shown little or no danger resulting from their use. This is perhaps not so surprising given the vested interests that may be found behind many of the reports!

Recently however two reports from Holland and from Orebro University in Sweden have linked mobile phone radiation with sickness and tumour growth respectively.

SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The Dutch report tested the impact of radiation from base stations operating both the older mobile phones and those capable of supporting the new third generation of phones capable of downloading videos and music. Whilst there was unsustainable evidence of harm from the older and weaker technology the modern ‘3G’ network stations produced a significant impact including physical tingling sensations, headaches, and nausea.

It is perhaps significant to note that currently an estimated 70% of the British population live within range of the new network system. Mobile phone radiation is not that much different, apart from strength, from the electro-magnetic field surrounding high voltage cables, cables which in these crowded Isles pass over or close to very many areas. Not so in America where a potential danger has been recognised since the 1950’s resulting on housing development being banned within close proximity of such cables. Perhaps the low strength radiation emissions from mobile phones could have a long term effect rather like the erosive effect of a dripping tap.

The Swedish study undertaken by Professor Mild at Orebro University appears a more thorough study. It was based on 1,600 tumour victims who had been regular mobile phone users for upward of 10 years. In the study this group was compared with two other groups. One group consisted of people who led similar lives to the victim group but who did not use mobile phones. The second group consisted of tumour victims who did not use mobile phones

Professor Mild’s conclusions indicated a 30% risk among those regular users who normally spent one hour (or more) a day using their phone. The tumours occurred mostly on the side of the head on which the phone was used. It can also be noted that in separate animal studies mobile phones have been shown to alter other brain functions and also adversely effect memory. Professor Mild’s work was published in the International Journal of Oncology.

Commenting on the report the Head of Clinical Programmes at Cancer Research U.K. conceded that the report was ‘worrying’ Mobile phone industry sources acknowledge that phone radiation alters the electrical activity of the brain but not that it is a cause of tumour formation.

The National Radiological Protection Board said in a statement “Radio waves do not have sufficient energy to damage genetic material (DNA) in cells directly and cannot therefore cause cancer”. Unfortunately this “latest position statement” was later shown to have been first issued four years ago.

Professor Mild acknowledges that mobile phones are here to stay and that much more investigation is needed. In the meantime he advises the use of mobiles only with a hands free headset.

Voluntary versus statutory regulation... the chooice is yours!
By Sarah Noble Chairperson of the B.C.M.A.

At a recent Council Meeting of the B.C.M.A., the question arose as to the process of regulation for our professions and which was to be the route.

As we blindly charge towards the holy grail of REGULATION, I believe we should stop and be aware of the fact that we have a choice, and that the decisions we make NOW will have a huge impact on the autonomy we have to govern our own professions in the future. So, lets outline the options and implications:

Firstly, many of us have felt the weight of pressure to stand in line and ‘get regulated’ as that is what we have been told we must do, or else take the consequences, (which may be that someone else steps into the breach. And regulates us). Many Associations have their blinkers on, frog marching towards the regulatory end point which is… well what is it?

The Government is very concerned (and rightly so in some cases) that there are probably 100,000 therapists in the public domain who are possibly inadequately trained (however well-meaning), and may – and here is the crux of the matter – “have the power to do harm”.

STRONG RECOMMENDATION

In the Walton Report (the government’s assessment of the field of Complementary Medicine in Britain today,) the strong recommendation was made that those therapies “with the power to do harm” were to be regulated without delay. The two most obvious examples being acupuncture and herbalism. I believe this to be fair and correct. However, Yvette Cooper said that she wanted to “set the timetable” for the regulation of these therapies. Despite the fact that the Government endorses and is positively facilitating lead bodies in these two disciplines through the regulatory process, from an optimistic projection of 2 years the current thinking is that it will take upwards of five years and possibly as many as 10! The regulatory road is long and arduous, a political minefield and not for the fainthearted. That is not to imply that anyone trying to put together NOS’s etc. etc. do not have the mettle for the task just that many are voluntary, and the hurdles often seem insurmountable.

PROTECTION OF TITLE

The osteopaths have achieved their desired Statutory Regulation – a 20 year, millions of pounds process through a ‘Private Member’s Bill’. They now have ‘protection of title’ which means that only an osteopath registered with the General Osteopathic CounciI (GOC) can call themselves an ‘Osteopath’. The irony of this outcome is that U.K. Law does not preclude ANYONE from practising ‘osteopathic techniques’ without such endorsement or registration. (This could be addressed by what is called ‘protection of function’ but I won’t complicate matters by discussing this just now).

I make no comment or judgement on what I think about this unfortunate consequence to regulation - just acknowledge there are known to be a minimum of 300 practising ‘osteopaths’ who no longer use the title ‘osteopath’, don’t pay the £1,000 fee to register and £750 per year to practice (insurance etc.)to the GOC, but continue to treat patients daily, and many of them have come to the B.C.M.A. for registration. Think about it – do your patients, know you as an aromatherapist or a reflexologist or more realistically as just Mary, Heather, Jane or Brian? having a ‘protected’ title would not change your ability to practice well (or badly) or your ability to operate a clinic in your locality.

This IS NOT TO ENDORSE any opting out of the regulatory process because of lack of effort or political will, we have NO CHOICE but to be seen to be regulating ourselves one way or another, and sooner rather than later. I am simply pointing out the fact that many associations are jumping through regulatory hoops which have sometimes been set by others, without enough thought as to the eventual outcomes of that process.

So what about you, yes you at the back there, not looking in this direction, avoiding my gaze as you think that this does not apply to you, or isn’t a legal imperative, or isn’t relevant to your day- to-day practice. What about your therapy? Is it regulated? Do you know what that means? Can I appeal to you to care enough to carry on reading? For, make no mistake, it will come back and bite you on the backside when you least expect it if YOU don’t think about it NOW!! And by that time it will be too late!

Have you communicated with ALL the other associations in your therapy discipline? Do I hear you say “No, I leave that to those who like to ‘play politics’. Its not my scene, I’m too busy doing the real thing, I’m a grass roots barefoot practitioner, etc. etc.”.

AGREE TO AGREE

Well like it or not to form a lead body you have to meet, communicate with, start to collaborate with and agree to agree on all core issues, with a minimum of 80% of the therapists in your own therapy discipline. (ie. all the other massage associations or all the other reflexology associations).

Has a minimum of 80% of you come together, formed a ‘Lead Body’ and already agreed on NOS Principles? (Know about a NOS? a National Occupational Standard), a technical and lengthy tome describing ‘best practice’ for your therapy).

• Have you employed someone to write that NOS, had consultation meetings with all those 80% and had it published and ready to pilot its validity.

• Are you on the way to working with healthworks to ratify your NOS, Have you a complete and public register of your members?
• Do you have ongoing CPD Principles in place?

• Have you agreed common core curriculums and is that implemented?

• Do you have codes of ethics, codes of practice and disciplinary procedures published? Do you have the money for an independent chairperson (possibly £6,000) if there is any unresolved issues between the various Associations in your therapy group?

• Do you know all the associations in your therapy group and are you going to work with them to a positive outcome (agree common philosophy & delivery standards etc. etc. SOON?

• Have you the manpower, the expertise, (not to mention the stamina and ability to compromise and work with colleagues you understand as well as those you don’t) and the time?

DAUNTED OR CONFUSED

If you have answered no to ANY of these questions then you need the B.C.M.A.
Does this make you feel daunted or confused by the prospect? Believe me, WE did. The B.C.M.A. wholeheartedly endorses and supports Lead Body aspirations but have seen so many battles lost, so many who tried so hard fall by
the wayside. For many years WE hired the halls, gathered the opposing factions, WE WERE the independent chairperson.

We already have 25,000 members from approximately 60 different Associations, private and public sector schools,
clinics etc. who have confidence in us
to represent and lead the way in the political forefront while you get on doing what you do best – the day-to-day business of helping your patients.

GOOD NEWS

The good news is that in a private one-to-one meeting between Lord Walton and the B.C.M.A. this summer, Lord Walton stated that he felt that the B.C.M.A. should not
only be recognised as the Lead Body for multidisciplinary therapists but that the B.C.M.A. WAS ALREADY doing everything that was required to be to be a voluntarily Self Regulating!

He commended our standards, endorsed our methodologies and recommended that the B.C.M.A. should be the Voluntary REGULATORY BODY that any association should belong to on the way towards regulation, or instead of
Statutory regulation (if they were too small or too new etc.).

The B.C.M.A. initiative encompasses the twin principles of Statutory and Voluntary regulation in one approach whilst acknowledging the reality of Complementary Medicine in the UK today.

And the very BEST News? This is voluntary Self Regulation. Anyone
who is a member of the B.C.M.A. is already Voluntarily Self Regulating. Anyone who isn’t a member needs to be if they don’t want to jump all the hurdles outlined above.

Congratulations to our colleague members – providing you continue to support the B.C.M.A.’s work on your behalf (and in consultation with you at every stage – transparency is our middle name) we will be allowed to regulate OUR OWN PROFESSIONS. After all isn’t that what we have always wanted?

We need you to reinforce to any non-member the imperative for them to be Actively and Voluntarily regulated via the B.C.M.A. Without the B.C.M.A. you may well be subject to the imposed regulation by the government.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!!

Didn’t we just know?

Congratulations to Susan Mortimer

These greetings may appear rather belated but nevertheless carry all the sincerity they deserve. When our last issue was at the printers we received a note from our member Susan to tell us that she had won the Aromatherapy Organisations Council’s very first Aromatherapist of the year Award.

Nominations for the award were received by the AOC from all over the country and were made by patients rather than fellow aromatherapists. In her presentation speech Joyce West, Chairperson of the AOC, said, ‘the judging panel were overwhelmed by the number of Susan’s patients who wrote in support of her nomination. She does a tremendous amount of work for the community and we are delighted that the inaugural winner is a real “grass roots” therapist. She is a role model for all aromatherapists and an inspiration for those of us on the AOC committees who work as volunteers on behalf of the Aromatherapy Profession’.

Susan learnt about aromatherapy whilst working as a nurse and decided to train in 1992. She has developed a thriving practice at her home and provides a visiting service to clients who have no transport or who are unable to travel. She works with the Social Services in Hull and also for the Avocet Trust which cares for people with learning difficulties.

We hope that Susan will long be able to provide the therapy treatment in which she so passionately believes and which brings such benefits to those in need.

Joint support

Glucosamine sulphate has long been a popular supplement to help protect against joint strain. There is now evidence that the supplement does help in a positive way to protect and build cartilage rather than simply to counter age-related deterioration of joint tissues and reduced flexibility.

A recent three year long study has indicated that the subject given glucosamine (as against receiving a placebo) showed a 20% improvement in pain reduction and improved mobility. Studies carried out in the eighties also showed similar results are further supported by recent finding that the supplement shows evidence of being able to provide cartilage protection by its encouraging the formation of new tissues. This may be helpful to those who are sceptical as to the benefits of supplements.

Your insurance protection

The following article was contributed by Ros McDonnell who has been our adviser for the past 20 years. In that time she has successfully dealt with dozens of requests for additional therapies and new treatments to be included with our members’ policy so that we now can offer what must be the most extensive range of therapy and treatments cover within an individual policy. Take note of what Ros says and you will maximise the protection that our policy provides for your business.

PROTECTING YOUR PRACTICE

You may think that because you are insured against Public, Product and Treatment liability claims through IPTI and practising to the best of your ability, there is no need to take other precautions to prevent clients from suing you. But, as one member found out recently, that is not the case.

The press, radio and television have raised client’s awareness of their legal rights and inspired them to believe that even minor complaints will attract vast financial compensation.

You Are Vulnerable
Therapists are very vulnerable to such claimants. Your clients often expect too much of you, believing that the treatment you give them will not only solve their immediate presenting problem but also transform unsatisfactory parts of their life and solve their personal problems, with no effort on their part. When it doesn’t, or when an economic or emotional difficulty complicates their life they look for someone to blame – you!

We All Make Mistakes
Therapists are human too, and occasionally make mistakes or perform less than optimally due to anxiety, illness, distraction, pressure or tiredness.

As therapists you are naturally caring compassionate people. It is a shock to discover that someone you were trying to help is accusing you of making their condition worse or injuring them. Assisting your insurer in gathering evidence to defend the claim will consume many hours of your time. We will help and support you as much as we can but uncertainty, worry and extra work is bound to affect you.

Your Reputation Is At Risk
Many of you rely on personal recommendation to produce a flow of new clients. One unhappy client can ruin your reputation, so it is very important that a complaint is dealt with quickly and to your clients satisfaction.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

By thorough consultation with the client before treatment
To ensure that the client’s expectations are realistic and that they are fully aware of the part that they have to play to achieve the desired result.

By keeping detailed, accurate records
Records are crucial in the defence of a claim. For example, you can prove that you asked the client about his/her health and medical conditions by recording the questions and answers, and requiring the client to sign and date the record to confirm that what you have written is correct.

If the client fails to disclose a condition and consequently undergoes a treatment that is contra-indicted, the client must bear some responsibility for any subsequent injury.

Sometimes clients use more than one therapist, to be sure that you are not blamed for someone else’s mistake make sure that the record is completed on every occasion that you treat the client. It is not necessary to go through the whole medical history every time, just ask the client to confirm – and sign – that there has been no change.

By giving the client written information
We are said to remember less than 10% of what we hear. Your consultation should include giving written information on the treatment that fully explains any aftercare or action that the client is recommended to perform or activities that they should avoid.

By immediately reporting any incidents that could give rise to a claim
We can then advise the best course of action and inform your insurer. Failure to report possible claims immediately can prejudice your insurer’s position and leave you uninsured. Our clients tell us that talking to our sympathetic claims adviser is a great help to them.

DEALING WITH A COMPLAINT

How do you cope with a client who complains?

By being pleasant, professional & polite
lnvite your client to sit down and explain. Sit at a respectful distance.

Listen carefully and attentively
Maintain eye contact, be in control of yourself and the situation.

Repeat the complaint to your client
Check that you understand the problem correctly. Speak calmly, emphatically and quietly. Often analysing the complaint sympathetically together will produce a solution acceptable to the client and to you. You will certainly learn from the experience.

Summarise the agreement you have reached.
Check that you both are clear about what has been ‘agreed’ including the time scale.

Record the discussion fully
Date and sign your record. Stick to the facts – remember that all your records may be disclosed to the claimant and the court. Telephone us on 01444 313242 immediately if there is an allegation of injury or worsening condition.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Don’t admit liability
Express your concern about your client’s distress without admitting that you caused it. You can say, “I’m sorry you are upset/hurting” but do not say “I’m sorry I hurt you”.

Don’t take it personally
Be self controlled, detached and professional. What seems to be a personal attack on you may actually be the expression of a client’s frustration with personal problems, unrelated to the treatment you have given.

Don’t allow your body language to be aggressive
Don’t stand or sit opposite your client. Raise or lower yourself so that you are on the same level. Don’t lean forward, stick your chin out or cross your arms. Don’t raise your hand or point your finger. Don’t clench your teeth or tense your face muscles – you will look angry. Don’t make body contact, stare or look only at one eye.

Don’t offer money
It is sometimes tempting to think that if you refund the treatment cost or give a small amount of compensation, that the client will be happy. That is rarely the case and in fact any offer can be construed as an admission of liability. That may also leave you in breach of your policy conditions and consequently uninsured

Never make an offer unless your insurer has instructed you to do so.

COMPLAINT LETTERS

If you receive a letter of complaint from a client please telephone us on 01444 313242 immediately for advice. Do Not answer the letter or contact the client until you have done so.

SOLICITOR’S LETTERS

If you receive a letter from a solicitor it is absolutely vital that you telephone us immediately. Failure to do so could result not only in the insurer refusing to deal with the claim but also in a prosecution against you for delaying the claims process. All correspondence should be forwarded to us unanswered, by first class post or recorded delivery.

DON’T BE AN OSTRICH!

Complaint letters and solicitors letters will not vanish if you ignore them! Please don’t be embarrassed to tell us about them, even if you have made a mistake. We want to give you the best possible claims service and the earlier you contact us the better we can help you.

TAKE AVOIDING ACTION

If you are unwell or aware that you are not performing optimally, postpone your appointments. The loss of income will be insignificant compared the pain and cost of dealing with a complaint.

Choose your client! Many therapists tell us that when a claim was made against them “I was not happy with that person as soon as they walked in”. Observe your client closely and if you feel uneasy suggest that they may prefer to go to another therapist.

Never allow your client to push you into doing anything that you think would not be beneficial to them. Saying that your client ‘forced you’ will not absolve you – you are the professional and the client’s welfare is your responsibility.

If you or the client is unhappy with the treatment, you can decide not to charge for it. This will generate goodwill and respect. If you knew that you have actually caused an injury, you would not expect the client to pay.

A HAPPY ENDING

What happened to the member who faced a claim from a client even though he had done nothing wrong? Well his insurer gave copies of his records to the claimant’s solicitor as part of the claims process. The records corroborated his defence and the solicitor advised the claimants that she was unlikely to succeed.

The claim was withdrawn.

The member described this as “a worrying and trying experience for me, even though I knew my own innocence. It has made me rethink and tighten my procedures even more”.

Our contributor weds

On the 24th May, Ros McDonnell, our long time insurance broker, adviser, contributor, colleague and friend was married to Dr. Eric Barrett at Haywards Heath Evangelical Free Church. Two hundred relatives and friends attended the service to wish the couple happiness and good fortune in their now joint work to provide practical help to Hungarian Christians.

Eric, an internationally recognised space scientist, has spent over 35 years in missionary work and, since 1995, has made 30 visits to Hungary. Earlier this year he decided to move on from his work with the Slavic Gospel Association and form a charitable trust dedicated to helping Hungarian Christians by supporting practical projects agreed with National Church leaders, both inside Hungary and also in neighbouring countries which have large minority Hungarian speaking populations.

The newly formed Charitable Trust is called ‘4H’ standing for ‘Helping HIS Hungarian Heroes’. Its aims are those outlined above and in September a self funding team of 14 formed the 8th Practical Mission travelling to Hungary to help the renovation of a small Baptist Church in Nyirbator. Should any of our members wish to learn more about the work of the 4H Trust, Eric and Rosemary would be delighted to receive your enquiries at 44 Hilldale Road, Backwell, N. Somerset BS48 3JZ or by e-mail to eric.rosemary4H@blueyonder.co.uk

New Health and Safety law

From October 1st ALL employers, even those with a single employee must comply with changes made to the Health and Safety Law.

Employers have 3 months, that is until 1st January 2004 to comply with the new regulations. Hitherto parts of the law applied only to those employing 4 or more workers. Now the minimum is really the minimum, ONE employee.

Fundamental to the requirements is that to display the Statutory Health & Safety Poster which spells out the duties of the employer and the responsibilities of the employees. A new format of the Accident report book which is compliant with the Data Protection Act has been introduced and MUST be brought into use by employers before next January.

All employers have legal responsibilities to:
1. display the Statutory Health & Safety Poster,
2. consult all employees on workplace safety issues
3. report specifies incidents to the H&S and other authorities
4. carry out a risk assessment of the workplace
5. make arrangements to implement safety procedures on any perceived workplace risk
6. produce a written Health & Safety policy statement
7. co-operate with any other employers occupying the same premises
8. set up emergency procedures
9. ensure that the workforce is fully informed and conversant with established safety procedures
10. provide appropriate first aid facilities
11. ensure, when regulations require, that a member of staff is trained in first aid and is appointed as the official first aid person.

Employers must be able to demonstrate compliance with all the requirements of the Health & Safety Law

Need Help? You may approach for advice your local, Fire Safety Officer, Environmental officers, Trading Standards offices. The H.M.Stationary Office – and a number of other companies provide written information, the Statutory H&S poster and other forms, the new accident book, report forms and advice on how to carry out risk assessments and on consultations with employees and guidance booklets on various aspects of the H&S requirements.

Information packs are available usually in two sizes, for small businesses of up to 4 employees and and those with over 4.

Chancellor Formecon Ltd. are one firm that supply these packs. They are at Freepost CW57, Gateway, Crewe, CW1 6JG Tel: 01270 507300, Fax 01270 500505 More information is on their website at www.chancellor.co.uk

BOOK REVIEW

We have received two books, one published by an I.P.T.I. member, which we would recommend to others having similar interests.

Poems from the Flowers

Member Rosemary Williams’ abiding interest since childhood is in Nature, from which she derives inspiration and spiritual experience and from the flowers themselves the healing essences.

The book is lavishly illustrated with her own colour photographs and drawings of each of the 32 flowers accompanied by accounts of the experiences that led to their being included within her Limetree Essence range.

It is a book that those with an affinity to nature, to flowers and to healing will return to time and again.

Probiotics for Crohn’s and Colitis by Peter Cartwright

Whilst this book is unquestionably an authoritative scientific account is eminently readable and would prove highly informative to the lay reader/sufferer.

In its 128 pages the book gives account of the history of probiotics and their present and possible future role in role in helping to control Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and related conditions. (Unfortunately the use of the term “cure” remains premature since a definitive cause of these conditions has yet to be established.)

Each chapter is headed with a brief case study, details of clinical trials are included and at the end are two important appendices, the body’s defence systems and the safety of probiotics and for the professional reader 180 bibliographic references.

Government forces through the EU Food Supplements Directive

Government forces through the EU Food Supplements Directive
The livelihood of many U.K. Therapists and food supplement suppliers have been put under threat as a result of the Government forcing through the Food Supplements Directive (FSD).

The EU Directive, implemented in July this year and due to become effective within the U.K. in July 2005 aims to ‘harmonise’ controls of nutrition and vitamin supplements throughout the EU.

Acceptance of this directive has been forced by the simple expedient of replacing members of the Government’s own Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation. Both Tony Banks MP and Kate Hoey MP were removed from the committee when they said that they would not support the new regulations.

The new regulations were presented as a measure to ensure customer safety but in effect ALL ingredients under EU law are forbidden unless they appear on lists which show that the nutrients have been tested and specifically accepted as safe. The FSD list however has not been specifically prepared for the EU but is simply a copy of an earlier PARNUTS directive for dietary supplements.

This has resulted in more than 300 nutrients and supplements currently available within the U.K. and accepted as safe being prohibited simply by virtue of them not appearing on the European Union’s FSD list.

A second problem (or barrier) arises with regard to dosage. Currently the U.K. customers have access to a considerable range of high dose nutrients that long availability and usage have shown to be safe. These products too are to be restricted and taken off the market when the FSD comes into force in mid 2005.

WHAT CAN WE DO NOW?

Round one has gone to the Government seemingly as a result of unfair manipulation and a subservient kowtowing to anything EU. Shades of 1984 and ‘EU good, UK bad’ Would that we had a government more like the French whose view on EU legislation appears to be, ‘if we agree OK, if not the EU can get knotted’ – oh for a little Gallic bloody mindedness.
Individually we are but little cogs in a large and flourishing wheel. But what happens if the cogs get broken? The machine ceases to function and everyone loses out.

Whether you are a consumer, an individual therapist, a supplement supplier or a health shop owner you have two years to fight a rearguard action.

SUPPORT CHC
THE CONSUMERS HEALTH CHOICE

Make an appointment at your MP’s local surgery and make your views known. Get him to pressure the minister to get an agreement to have the 300 missing nutrients put on the FSD’s ‘Positive Lists and seek to have dose levels based on a safe scientific review and not, as now, on multiples of a Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).
Write to, or better, go and see your MEP and stress to him your concern.
Visit www.healthchoice.org.uk
for further information.
Visit http://europa.eu.int
for information on the Food Supplement Directive.