The Minister attended the first ever CAM conference at the Belfast City Hospital, which looked at the role CAM is playing in promoting health and well-being in the community.
Speaking at the event, which was run in partnership with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health, Mr McGimpsey said: “Improving the health and well-being of our people is my paramount concern.
“We have a wonderfully diverse health and social care system here, not least because of our patient-centred approach to meeting need. This diversity is one of its main strengths, and CAM has a role to play.
“There is a great deal of excellent work taking place across the province where CAM and mainstream services are already working hand in hand, making a significant contribution to improving people’s health.”
The Minister also highlighted the work that has been ongoing in the Department-led CAM pilot project launched in February.
He said: “The CAM pilot is unique within the UK, in that it provides some GPs with the opportunity and support to refer patients directly to a range of complementary therapists to treat ailments such as back pain and depression, stress and anxiety.
“The opportunity to avail of different therapies provides both GPs and their patients with access to the widest choice of healthcare provision. I look forward to seeing the results of the independent evaluation of the CAM pilot next spring.
“Of course it would be nice if I could stand up here today and announce that I would be putting more funding into CAM, but unfortunately my resources are not a bottomless pit. However, you can be assured that I will continue to press for more funding to allow new and innovative treatments and medicines to be introduced.”
The Minister also presented the inaugural award to the Northern Ireland winner of the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health Award to The Little Orchids Centre, Londonderry.
The centre provides therapeutic intervention, respite and support for pre-school children with special needs and their parents, carers and siblings.
The aim of the award is to improve public health and increase understanding of integrated health by celebrating and rewarding the work of high-quality integrated health projects and practitioners.
Notes to Editors:
- The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Conference was run in partnership with the DHSSPS, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, and The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health.
- There will be approximately 200 delegates in attendance representing GPs, nurses, voluntary organisations and CAM practitioners.
- The CAM pilot project will run until March 2008 and will be independently evaluated by Social Market Research (SMR).
- Further information on the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health Award can be obtained from the Foundation on 020 3119 3118.
- Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
