CAM Found Effective in Primary Care Study
The independent evaluation report on a one year pilot study on the inclusion of CAM services provided by CAM practitioners working within the health system was finally released on the 11 February 2009. Written in May 2008 about a study that was carried out over a twelve month period in 2007, the report recounts very positive results for the impact of the provision of CAM treatments into primary care. Overall 713 patients were referred to
the project by their GP. Therapies provided were acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, reflexology, aromatherapy and massage.
One of the reports most significant recommendations is the following:
Given the evidence of health gain documented by patients, GPs and CAM practitioners, it is recommended that DHSSPS and the project partners explore the potential for making CAM more widely available to patients across Northern Ireland. Not only has this project documented significant health gains for patients, but it has also highlighted the potential economic savings likely to accrue from a reduction in patient use of primary and other
health care services, a reduction in prescribing levels and reduced absenteeism from work due to ill health.
Access to the full contents of the report can be found on the Northern Ireland DHSSPS Web-site at:
NI Study