Minister to regulate alternative therapists

Herbal doctors are facing a clampdown amid mounting fears over patient safety.

Customers currently have no way of knowing if practitioners are genuine or charlatans, because anybody can open shops or clinics.

Under new proposals, those setting themselves up as complementary therapists or acupuncturists will have to prove their qualifications and sign up to a strict new code of practice. Today Health Minister John Reid set out new plans to establish a new body, the Complementary Alternative Medicines Board.

The new organisation would be funded by the complementary therapy industry itself and would have a similar role to that of the General Medical Council for doctors.