News
News
As a result of the new qualifications coming into force in January 2011, some important changes are taking place at the AoR.
It has come to our notice that a number of our members have received a string of emails regarding the Reflexology Forum and CNHC. As you may be aware, the AoR does have representation on the relevant bodies, and we are currently looking at the implications of the points raised both in the emails and the proposed motion to change the constitution .
As always, our members’ best interests remain our foremost priority. We will, of course, keep you updated regarding this issue and any implications it raises. In the meantime, if you do receive any more emails regarding this issue or related issues, please feel free to forward them to support@aor.org.uk.
Click here for the CNHC leaflet
Click here for the Registration form (AoR Fellow, Full and Associate members only)
Members have been kept fully informed of the role that such a register offers which is essentially for the protection of the Public. The AoR welcomed voluntary regulation as your current and potential Clients can be assured that practitioners on the register operate safely, meet and maintain the national standards of conduct and competence. Registration with CNHC will demonstrate that registrants have nationally recognised skills and knowledge, and that they are regulated through bona fide codes of conduct. This will identify them as professional as opposed to weekend/short course Reflexologists who won't be able to register.
AoR members who wish to register with CNHC can do so at a discounted rate. There is an early bird discount for applicants and the usual £15 administration fee will not apply if the application is made on-line through the AoR. If you do not have your own email address you can use a relative or Friend's address instead.
The register is also open for therapists practising
- Massage Therapy
- Nutritional Therapy
- Aromatherapy
The AoR are in the process of liaising with Professional Associations representing these disciplines to hopefully agree a qualification 'swap' where we provide each other with confirmation of qualifications. This will help members who have more than one of the therapies that the register will cover as they will not have to duplicate applications to CNHC. In the meantime however we will primarily deal with reflexology. Please ensure that you tick all the relevant therapies on the request to register form and the declaration box authorising your approval to contact the other therapy associations to confirm your 'other' qualifications.
What do I do next?
Complete the request to register form available above. The AoR will then forward details to CNHC.
You will then receive an email from CNHC confirming that we have verified the disciplines that meet the CNHC criteria. This email will also invite you to apply to register via the CNHC's website.
You will then complete your application online and pay your registration fee. You will then receive a registration certificate and your details will be added to the CNHC register.
CNHC and the AoR encourage members to act swiftly and the first registrants will be offered an opportunity to raise their profile in your local media.
If you have any queries please contact CNHC on the contact details below;
Email: info@cnhc.org.uk
Website: www.cnhc.org.uk
Address: CNHC, 83 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0HW.
Why should I register?
Registration with CNHC provides you with a nationally recognised quality mark for your work.
By registering with CNHC you will be able to demonstrate to the general public and to other healthcare providers that you conform to national standards of practice in your work.
Practitioners on the CNHC Register will be able to display the CNHC quality mark, which will become the general public's guide to identifying best practice in complementary healthcare provision. The quality mark can be displayed where you practice and in your publicity materials such as leaflets and websites.
Members of the public will be able to confirm your registration via the CNHC website, providing a quick and easy route for them to validate the competence and safety of complementary healthcare practitioners.
We are in discussion with NHS and private healthcare commissioners about the CNHC quality mark becoming the prerequisite for referrals to complementary healthcare practitioners. Many are keen to work with CNHC to use the quality mark as an independent validation of standards.
How long does the "Early Bird" offer last?
Once the Register opens to your discipline, you have 6 months to take advantage of the "Early Bird" offer.
What will it cost me to register with CNHC?
(Early Bird Offer for Reflexology expires on 28th February 2010) £30 for one discipline, £40 for two disciplines, £50 for three disciplines, £60 for four disciplines. From 1st March 2010, the fee will increase to £45 for one discipline, £55 for two, £65 for three, £75 for four)
What will I need to pay upon renewal?
Your registration will be due for renewal one year after you register with CNHC the cost for a further year will be £45, plus £5 for each additional discipline, up to a maximum of £60. You can register for up to 5 disciplines, with no charge for the fifth discipline.
Please note: There will be an additional £10 administration charge for those who do not wish to register on-line.
How can I use the CNHC logo?
If you would like to use the CNHC logo next to your own logo on your headed paper or business cards, we can put you in touch with our designers so that they can advise on how best to present the two logos. Please contact info@cnhc.org.uk for contact details.
How can I use the CNHC quality mark?
Once you are admitted to the CNHC Register, you can download or will be sent a certificate for public display, incorporating the CNHC quality mark. The quality mark provides an independent indications of quality to those wishing to use complementary and natural health services. You will also be able to use the quality mark on websites, promotional literature and elsewhere as confirmation to the public that you meet the standards set by the CNHC. By using the CNHC quality mark you are demonstrating to members of the general public and other healthcare providers that you conform to national standards of practice in your work. Click here for a copy of the quality mark and the terms of use.
A number of professional associations were actively involved in the work of the Federal Working Group, which recommended the establishment of CNHC as a single voluntary regulator for the complementary healthcare field. CNHC is working closely with a number of professional associations to deliver discounted Registration Fees to PA members, via Early Bird agreements. PAs are also involved in developing CNHC's work through their involvement in our Profession Specific Boards.
How is CNHC different from my Professional Association?
Answer: The CNHC is a regulatory body, whose main function is public protection by setting standards for safe practice. The main function of a Professional Association is support for its members.
Should I continue to be a member of a professional association in my field?
Yes, CNHC strongly advises all practitioners to be members of a professional association (PA)as membership of a PA offers a range of services for the benefit of their members, including support for professional development and training, information services, insurance and so on.
Why should I register with CNHC?
How will people know that I am on the CNHC Register?
When you register you will be sent a certificate, incorporating the CNHC quality mark, for public display, showing the details of your entry on the CNHC Register. You will also be able to use the quality mark in your publicity materials. People will also be able to search the Register on-line to check that you are registered.
What are the benefits of being registered?
Registration with CNHC will be seen as the 'gold standard for complementary healthcare practitioners. Members of the public will quickly be able to confirm that a complementary healthcare professional has met CNHC's standards for safe practice. Other healthcare professionals will also use the register as a mark of quality when considering referrals to a complementary healthcare professional.
The AoR are pleased to announce that the National Occupational Standards are now finished and available online via the Skills for Health website.
Please click here to access them!
You will remember that a number of GCMT Council members notified the CNHC that there was an email petition on the Number 10 site which raised the issue of the CNHC in relation to safety.
Advertising your services is a beneficial activity for your business. A few Association of Reflexologists’ members however have experienced what it is like to deal with a complaint against them via the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
Please click the link to read an article in the Daily Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/spaspy/4612113/Spa-Spy-Investigating-the-curative-claims-of-wellbeing-retreats-worldwide.html where they put a spy into a spa resort and had reflexology for Oedema. The treatments worked really well.
For the latest update on the National Occupational Standards from Skills for Health, please click here.
To access this news item, please click here.
Click here to read an article on the Liverpool Echo website about Reflexologist Tracey Turton.
A few members have contacted us regarding being contacted by the Performing Rights Society asking for payment of a licence fee if that are playing music in their practice. I have spoken to the PRS today (2/9/08) and I have been informed that if you are playing music while a Client is present you are required to pay the fee. For more information please call 0800 648 4828
Business Link provides the information, advice and support you need to start, maintain and grow a business. It provides information and advice to help customers make the most of their opportunities. Rather than providing all the advice and help itself, it fast-tracks customers to the expert help they need.
To find your nearest operator, either search by your postcode click here or call 0845 600 9 006.
The AoR has been advised that the General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies (GRCCT) has issued a press release to therapists, NHS healthcare commissioners and providers that is regarded by the AoR as highly inaccurate. The AoR wishes to inform its membership that it disassociates itself from this press release and its content.
The AoR has a responsibility to bring to the attention of its members all information relating to the voluntary regulation of the 12 complementary therapies in an unbiased and transparent manner. However where the Association believes that the information generated is inaccurate, misleading or defamatory it will take steps to ensure that its members are protected from its content.
The head of the UK's first regulator for complementary medicine has promised to get tough with the industry and drive out cowboy therapists.
Patients who opt for complementary healthcare need to know their practitioner is properly trained, understands the limits of his or her competence, and will treat them safely.
A Japanese study into reflexology has made a significant breakthrough in establishing a scientific link between reflexology areas in the foot and parts of the human brain.
Disruptive schoolchildren in south London will be given foot massages by therapists to help get their aggreesiveness under control.
