Introduction

This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part highlights a number of distinctly different approaches to the provision of a range of complementary therapy services even within the British National Health Service and its potentially standardized primary care services. It looks at the ‘spiritual service industry’ particularly those related to New Age phenomena, and the healing practices that increasingly have become an integral part of it. The part explores the relationship between homoeopathy and ‘high society’, particularly members of the Royal Family. In the geographical area various groups of complementary/alternative medicine practitioners have taken very different political and strategic directions during the time when the growth and development of various modalities has continued.