THANKS TO…

… all the wonderful people in the NHS. A member of my family had health problems last year which necessitated two stays in hospital and regular treatment from outpatient departments. The care he received from all the staff at King’s College Hospital and from the ambulance crews was superb – both competent and compassionate.

Unfortunately, acupuncture is barely available on the NHS (please do feel free to write to your MP or GP and suggest acupuncture and other therapies as a cost-effective alternative to some medications). This means that, by definition, to work as an acupuncturist in this country is to work in the private sector. Undeniably, this provides certain freedoms to me as a practitioner, such as longer appointments than would be viable in the public sector.

However, I have the utmost respect for the public health sector. Interestingly, I tend to note that doctors seem less enthusiastic about acupuncture, and nurses and midwives seem more enthusiastic. Let’s hope that one day, there may be scope for a more holistic approach in the NHS for the benefit of all.

In the meantime, once again, many thanks to all the people I came across.