Some comments on the article "Hope for 1990".

I am a qualified Medical Herbalist but have refused for numerous reasons to join my "appropriate organisation" the N.I.M.H.

Therapists only being allowed to practice if "registered" by these professional bodies annoys me greatly. Membership of these bodies provides no more protection to the public than does being an independent practitioner. Many people join these organisations for cheaper insurance; ability to fill their business cards with initials and for fear of not being a member.

The medical profession and its organisations are a prime example of what these organisations are really about, i.e. protecting their members not the public.

"Ethical codes provide protection" - utter rubbish! What about the numerous cases of medical incompetence covered up by that profession and how difficult they make it to get compensation for their members negligence?

Who does the torturing in third word countries?
Who performs mandatory abortions in some countries?
Who allows people to get hooked on tranquillisers?
Who are involved in transplants of organs stolen or obtained from the poor overseas?
Who never or rarely report incompetence in their colleagues?
Who permits junior hospital doctors to work crazy hours endangering their patients?
Do you really need an answer? "Ethical codes and oath swearing protect the public", don't make me laugh!

What a nerve telling complementary medicine to get our house in order.

The proposals to limit calling oneself for example a 'Medical Herbalist' to only registered practitioners means that those who have trained, but choose not to join incompetent professional bodies, will be restricted in how they can work. For no good reason because these organisations rarely police what their members are doing anyway. Note: Since first written, the mad rush for statutory regulation will mean those who refuse to join such trade organisations will no longer be permitted to use the title "Medical Herbalist".

On the other hand, some therapists who have done a few weekends appallingly bad training in Colleges of further education, and then join their "appropriate body", are let loose on the public without a clue on medicine or much else.

The final point about professional bodies is that the money to run them has to come from membership contributions. The more people they can register, the more funds they get. Just take a look at the vast amount of funds wasted on hundreds of medical profession organisations. Many have overlapping functions, but no one ever dares suggest they amalgamate to save money. The Royal Colleges in the medical profession are the biggest waste of resources going.

Complementary therapists should stop pandering to the stupid threats produced by medical profession dominated Government departments and the media. Instead we should attack the long history of incompetence of these regulatory bodies which is far worse than any harm caused by any Complementary practitioners.

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