Policy on the treatment of students and staff¹

All students are recommended to receive acupuncture, herbal treatment and/or nutritional advice during their course, partly as an effective way of maintaining their health and partly to gain experience of the patient’s perspective.

However:

• Acupuncture students cannot receive treatment which requires a full in-depth consultation in the College’s acupuncture teaching clinic. They can receive treatment in the herbs or nutrition clinic.

• Herbs students can present their own case and possible prescription for peer review (with supervisor oversight) (see Herbs Clinic Handbook). They can also receive treatment in the acupuncture or nutrition clinics.

• Nutrition students are encouraged to have a consultation in the College’s nutrition teaching clinic whilst on the Access Course or before clinic rotation begins. They can decide how much information they are willing to divulge. They can also access the College’s acupuncture and herbs clinics.

The only exceptions to the above are:

• When there is an unusually quiet day in clinic, at the discretion of the supervisor, a student or students may formulate their own proposals for acupuncture points to be treated / a classical herbal formula (perhaps modified) for self-treatment / a dietary intervention. These proposals can be discussed with the supervisor and can be seen in part as a learning exercise. This provision does not involve taking a full case history and no ongoing treatment is given. Students who do not wish to participate have the right to withdraw and undertake a different clinic-related activity. When students go on to make up an agreed herbal formula they will pay the standard price for the herbs.

A full in-depth consultation can lead to a significant degree of disclosure of personal information. The primary purpose of the above policy is to avoid difficulties for students who are in the practitioner role in clinic, under supervision, and who could be put in the position of acting as practitioner to friends and peers. It is also important to protect the interests of students in the role of patient/client, and to avoid additional complications for clinic supervisors.

The above policy applies to treatment of students in the teaching clinics. It does not apply to classroom sessions where students may practise clinical skills and may take the roles of practitioner and patient/client. Students are given guidance on appropriate levels of disclosure during these clinical skills classes.

If an applicant for the course is also a patient in the teaching clinic for their course, they will only be enrolled on the understanding that they will transfer to another practitioner before commencing the course. This is because the competing interests and boundary problems are particularly severe in this situation. This requirement will be clearly stated at interview and specified in the letter offering a place.

College staff can be treated in the same way as other patients/clients in any of the clinics. Staff can decide how much information they are willing to divulge.

It is acceptable for students to be treated by College staff in their own practices, as long as this is permitted by the relevant professional body. Staff who are involved in assessment will declare a conflict of interest at Assessment Board meetings and will not take part in any discussion of a student who is also their patient/client.

The table below summarises consultations that can be offered and what fees are to be paid:

*If there is space in the clinic on the day of the acute condition.
¹Limited to 10 treatments or consultations per academic year.
²Students may not attend as patients once their clinic rotation begins.

Policy on Treatment Clinic Fees for Students

Students who have suspended their studies will not be charged a Students are encouraged to explore treatment opportunities in the teaching clinics outside their own discipline.

Students will not be charged for appointments in the Chinese Herbal Medicine clinic, but will be charged for the herbs themselves.

In the acupuncture and nutrition clinics, free consultations can be given, subject to a limited number per year.

Students on suspended studies

Students who have suspended their studies will not be charged a consultation fee in the clinics for one year from their notification of suspension of study. Thereafter they will have to pay the clinic fees as for any member of the general public attending the clinic.

¹Policy reviewed by Academic Board 12/05/2022. Next review date May 2026.