Question reference: S1W-02590
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 16 November 1999
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Current status: Answered by Susan Deacon on 10 December 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to recognise formal qualifications in herbal medicine and regulate its practice.
Answer
The identification and accreditation of suitable training courses and the recognition of qualifications in any complementary therapy is primarily the responsibility of the professional body or bodies which regulate it.The regulation of health professions is a reserved matter. However, I understand that herbal medicine professional bodies have been encouraged by the Government to form a single self-regulatory body for all herbalists, in the hope that in due course the profession may be in a position to apply for statutory self-regulation.