VOLUNTARY REGISTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY HEALTHCARE OPENS TO AROMATHERAPISTS

The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council today (5th May) opens its register to aromatherapists which means that members of the public will be able to choose their practitioner in confidence that they meet national standards of practice.
Established as a voluntary regulator in April 2008 with the purpose of protecting the public, the CNHC opens its register to practitioners of complementary and natural healthcare disciplines as they become fit for purpose.
With more than 25,000 aromatherapists in the UK, the discipline has been engaged in a programme of work to bring it to the point that it is ready to join the process of self-regulation offered by the CNHC register.
Maggie Dunn, co-chair of the CNHC explained: “By applying to the CNHC register and demonstrating that they meet the CNCH entry criteria, aromatherapists will then receive a certificate incorporating the CNHC quality mark for public display and showing the details of their entry on the CNHC Register.
“Public safety is paramount so for members of the public the quality mark provides reassurance of knowing that the aromatherapist has had to meet minimum standards of qualification and/or experience and that they have signed up to a rigorous code of conduct.”
Aromatherapy is the third discipline for which the register has opened, joining massage therapy and nutritional therapy. Aromatherapy is the systematic use of essential oils in holistic treatments that seek to improve physical and emotional well-being. Essential oils, extracted from plants, are thought by Aromatherapists to possess distinctive therapeutic properties which can be utilised to improve health and prevent disease and can be applied in a variety of ways including massage, bathing and inhalations.
Throughout 2009, the Register will be opened to further disciplines, as they become ready and wish to register, and include: Alexander technique; Bowen technique; Cranial therapy; Naturopathy; Reflexology; Reiki; Shiatsu; and Yoga therapy.
For further information about registration, visit www.cnhc.org.uk
ENDS
Media contacts: Gemma Irvine or Gemma Young at Mandate Communications on 020 3128 8126/8123 or at gemma.irvine@yourmandate.com / gemma.young@yourmandate.com
For more information about CNHC: Please contact 0203 178 2199 or visit the website www.cnhc.org.uk
Notes to editor
The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) was established as a voluntary register in April 2008 with the purpose of protecting the public by means of a voluntary register for complementary and natural healthcare practitioners.
The CNHC’s function is:
• To establish and maintain a voluntary register of complementary healthcare practitioners in the UK who meet our standards of competence and practice
• To make the Register of practitioners available to the general public and to educate them about the CNHC quality mark as a quality standard
• To operate a robust process for handling complaints about registered practitioners
• To work with professional bodies in the complementary healthcare field to further develop and improve standards of professional practice
The Register has been launched with government backing through the Department of Health.