ABSTRACT
The term ‘non-conventional therapies’ covers a wide and diverse range of practices. Some treat particular parts of the body or conditions and others aim to provide complete treatment or therapy for the generality of diseases and patients. It is apparent that different therapies have little in common in the way of aspirations, practice, and tradition. The British Medical Association recommends that a single regulating body be established for each therapy. Increasing numbers of doctors wish to make use of non-conventional therapies for their patients. A distinction has been made between the powers of referral and of delegation. The doctor refers a patient to another individual to use his or her professional judgement to assess the patient and decide if (and what) treatment is necessary and, where appropriate, to provide that treatment. Responsibility for complete medical diagnosis and overall management of the patient rests with the patient’s general medical practitioner.
