The British Acupuncture Council

The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) is the UK's main regulatory body for the practice of acupuncture by over 2500 professionally qualified acupuncturists.

All BAcC members are bound by strict Codes of Safe Practice, Professional Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures. These Codes ensure that patients are offered the highest standards of professional care during their acupuncture treatment.

The Code of Practice guidelines were drawn up with the advice of the Department of Health and a Public Health Consultant. BAcC practitioners use disposable single use acupuncture needles. These are pre-sterilised, are in sealed packs and are disposed of after each treatment.

Obligatory for membership, all practitioners are covered by full Medical Malpractice & Public/Products Liability insurance.

The British Acupuncture Council represents professional acupuncturists who have an extensive training in acupuncture and the biomedical sciences appropriate to the practice of this therapy. Members practise a recognised and traditional style of diagnosis and treatment therapy. This has been developed and refined over 2000 years and provides patients with an holistic approach to maintaining health and managing illness.

There is no government legislation in the UK covering acupuncture at present. This means that unfortunately anyone can currently provide acupuncture treatment without any professional acupuncture training whatsoever.

The BAcC believes that anyone who provides acupuncture treatment should have undertaken an extensive acupuncture training of at least three years full-time or the part-time equivalent. This is irrespective of any prior biomedical training a practitioner may have. A biomedical training is not qualification for the provision of professional acupuncture treatment.

The BAcC maintains standards of education, ethics, practice and discipline to ensure the health and safety of the public at all times. It is also committed to promoting research and enhancing the role that traditional acupuncture can play in the health and well-being of the nation.

BacC website: www.acupuncture.org.uk

The British Acupuncture Council

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