can you get acupuncture on the National Health?

[Seaxwyn]

Does anyone know?

[Ted_Hutchinson]

This discussion paper for decision makers sets out what it may be available for (http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/ehc72.pdf)
So it depends on your local Primary Health Care Trust to find out whether they fund it and what for.
I'd ring my local Patient Forum or ring the PCT.

I've just phoned mine and asked a hypothetical question and found out that Acupuncture is routinely used for pain management and this is funded. But for anything else your GP would have to support it and it would be done on a case by case basis and the person I spoke to was not aware of anyone actually getting funding for acupuncture for smoking cessation or obesity and wasn't very optimistic about the chance of it being provided. Some GP's actually use acupuncture themselves or have contacts with local providers so there may be a way round your particular request. You won't know till you ask locally.

[violetta]

It is worth a call to your GP to ask this question - some GPs actually run acupuncture clinics themselves at the surgery if you are lucky enough to have a GP skilled in this area, or they may have appointments at your local hospital. I know this happens locally to me in Leicestershire. Many GPs/hospital consultants recognise acupuncture as a valid complementary therapy.

[gingin]

I had accupunture during a particularly stressful pregnancy thanks to the NHS. This was in Yorkshire (Calderdale Healthcare Trust) and was in a hospital. I believe it was available to all suitable patients :)

[Daisies]

I was offered acupuncture (for anxiety and for IBS symptoms) at my GP's practice in London 2.5 years ago. They had just started offering it. I'm presuming it must have been funded by the PCT? Anyway, my GP referred me, and the acupuncturist (sp?) worked from one of the nurse's rooms at the practice for one afternoon a week.

I left London shortly afterwards though so only ever went once! ;)

[carolbee]

Yes, I am currently having my second course 18 months

[Bossyboots]

I have had acupuncture in the physiotherapy department of our local NHS hospital.

[Tiff]

Does anyone know?

Yes hun, acupuncture is available on NHS for pain and other options. It can be done at the hospital physiotherapy dept., and I was lucky enough to have it done at my GP's surgery by the hospital physio.
Much Love,
Tiff xxx