A. General Information and Professional Scope

Naturopathy and Acupuncture are complementary approaches that support health and wellbeing through personalised, holistic care. Practitioners use a range of tools to explore lifestyle, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and health history in order to identify patterns or imbalances that may be contributing to a client’s concerns. The approach is personalised, as practitioners consider each individual to be unique, recommending bespoke nutrition, herbal, and lifestyle programmes rather than a 'one size fits all' approach.

Recommendations are tailored to the individual and may include lifestyle guidance, nutritional or herbal support, acupuncture, coaching strategies, or other complementary approaches appropriate to the practitioner’s training and scope.

Naturopathy is recognised as a complementary medicine. Consultations with a naturopathic acupuncturist include taking a detailed case history, performing a physical exam if relevant, creating a recommended treatment plan and following up on results and progression.

Where acupuncture is provided, treatment may involve the insertion of fine sterile needles into specific points on the body, along with related techniques such as moxibustion, cupping, guasha, or acupressure

B. Limitations, Risks, and Referrals

1. Non-Medical Practice: Acupuncture and Naturopathy are practised by non-medical professionals and are complementary to other regulated forms of healthcare in England.

2. Diagnosis and Treatment: Acupuncture and Naturopathy practitioners do not diagnose medical conditions or claim to treat disease. Any support provided is complementary in nature and focused on wellbeing, lifestyle, and self-care.

3. Medical Advice: Acupuncture or Naturopathy recommendations are not a substitute for professional medical advice and/or treatment. Acupuncture and naturopathy practitioners do not recommend their services as a replacement for medical advice.

4. Referrals: Acupuncture and Naturopathy practitioners will always refer any client with serious signs or symptoms that fall out of the scope of safe complementary practice (‘red flags’) to their medical professional. Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy reserves the right to determine which cases fall outside their scope of practice, in which event an appropriate referral will be recommended.

5. Efficacy and Risk: No claim is made as to the efficacy of any naturopathic or acupuncture protocol. The degree of benefit obtainable may vary between clients with similar health problems. While the best course of action is continually sought, there always exists the possibility of side effects, adverse reactions, or inefficacy of treatment.

6. Safety: Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy holds your safety and well-being as their top priority in the management of your case.

C. Practitioner Responsibilities

1. Intervention: Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy will strive to deliver the safest and most effective interventions for your case.

2. Collaboration: Acupuncture and Naturopathy practitioners frequently work alongside medical professionals and will communicate with other healthcare professionals involved in the client’s care to explain any programme that has been provided, if this is requested.

3. Scope: Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy reserves the right to determine which cases fall outside their scope of practice, in which event an appropriate referral will be recommended.  Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy will make it clear if she intends to step outside the boundary of the consultation covered by this document.

4. Governance: Standards of professional practice in Naturopathy are governed by the General Naturopathic Council (GNC), and those of Acupuncture by the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC).

5. Commission Disclosure: Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy may recommend food supplements and/or functional testing as part of your programme and may receive a commission on these products or services. If the practitioner recommends supplements/tests and charges for them, there may be a mark-up on wholesale prices to cover the cost of supply and interpretation.

6. Insurance Statement: Sarah Shorter is insured for professional liability and malpractice.

7. Record Retention Period: Client records are retained securely for 7 years following the last consultation, in line with GDPR requirements.

8. Complaints Procedure: If you wish to make a complaint, please contact Sarah Shorter. If unresolved, you may contact my relevant professional association, The Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (ANP) or The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) for further guidance.

9. Where acupuncture is provided:

a. Drowsiness can occur after a session; if affected, you are advised not to drive.

b. Bruises, blisters, and bleeding may occur after cupping and moxibustion.

c. Minor bruising, bleeding and nerve pain can sometimes occur after acupuncture but will resolve.

d. Existing symptoms can temporarily worsen after the session (up to 48 hours). Please inform Sarah Shorter of this.

e. If Sarah Shorter applies an oil or balm, cross-contamination would occur when your hands, which have come into contact with the balm, transfer some of the balm's contents to the eyes, causing temporary discomfort or a burning sensation.

f. Fainting can occur in certain patients, particularly during the initial session. For this reason, please eat at least four hours prior to the session and advise if you have particularly low blood pressure.

D. Client Responsibilities (The Client understands and agrees)

1. Medical Disclosure: I will inform Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy of all medical conditions I have been diagnosed with, symptoms I am experiencing, and medications I am taking/have taken in the past. I must inform them of any new medical conditions, symptoms or medications should they arise. Providing full details of diagnosed medical conditions and medications is crucial, as this may affect the nutritional programme.

2. Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: I will inform Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy immediately if I am pregnant or breastfeeding, or if I plan to become pregnant or begin breastfeeding.

3. Communication with Medical Professionals: I am responsible for contacting my GP about any health concerns. I should tell my GP, or any other medical provider, about any Acupuncture or Naturopathic programme provided by my practitioner, as this is necessary because of any possible reaction between medication and the Acupuncture or Naturopathic programme. I am directed to promptly consult my doctor or equivalent medical professional if I have not previously done so regarding my condition.

4. Prescribed Treatments: I am not to alter or discontinue treatments prescribed by a licensed health professional without consulting the individual who prescribed the treatment.

5. Understanding and Compliance:

a. I will inform Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy if I do not understand any given part of the recommendations or if I am uncomfortable with any aspect of my care. The suitability of the advice depends on the accuracy of how I answer questions during the consultation and complete the questionnaire. Responsibility cannot be accepted if important information is withheld or in cases of non-compliance.

b. I understand that the recommendations are personal to you and may not be appropriate for others.

c. Recommendations for Naturopathy e.g. changes in diet, including the use of nutritional supplements, are entirely my responsibility. I must contact my practitioner should I wish to continue any specified Naturopathic recommendations, e.g. supplement programme for longer than the original agreed period, to avoid any potential adverse reactions.

6. Product Purchase: I am free to purchase any products recommended for my treatment from a vendor of my choosing, being under no obligation to purchase products from Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy directly.

E. Fees, Payment, and Cancellation Policy

1. Fee Schedule: I have read and understand Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy's fee and price schedule. The fees are clearly stated on our website and are subject to change without prior notice.

2. Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please do so at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to provide sufficient notice for cancellation or rescheduling will result in a cancellation fee equal to the total cost of your booking.

3. Late Arrival: Late arrival may result in a shorter appointment. If there is insufficient time remaining to safely and appropriately carry out your treatment, your appointment may need to be rearranged, and the cancellation policy will apply.

4. Payment by your insurer: Whilst you will remain responsible for the payment of your treatment, where you have private medical insurance, we will confirm in advance if we are able to process the insurance claim for your care with your insurer. In these circumstances, you are required to give us and your insurer all the information that we and your insurer need to do this. 

If this information is incomplete or inaccurate, we may not be able to process your claim, and we will invoice you directly. 

Where we process your insurance claim, and your insurer pays us directly, the rate agreed between Sarah Shorter Acupuncture and your insurer will apply to your treatment. You will remain responsible for the balance of your account not paid by your insurer. Where your insurer fails to settle our invoices (or any part of them) within 30 days of the date of issue, we will assume that the outstanding amount will not be paid by your insurer, and we will invoice you directly.

It is your responsibility to confirm with your insurer in advance that your treatment is covered by your insurance policy, and Sarah Shorter Acupuncture will not obtain any such confirmation on your behalf.

In some cases, your insurer may not pay for certain parts of the treatment you receive, and you will be required to pay for this.

Please note that your insurance policy may not cover the cost of products or other items supplied, or it may cover only part of the treatment provided. You will be required to pay for any such items not reimbursed by your insurers. Please check with your insurer the extent of your cover and any omissions.

If you pay for your treatment and subsequently seek reimbursement from your insurer, and if no other rate has been expressly agreed between you and Sarah Shorter Acupuncture, then the prices in operation at the time will apply to your Treatment.

Where we invoice you for your treatment or an element of it, you agree to pay us the amount invoiced in accordance with our self-paying terms above.

We are only able to address an invoice to the person who has received the treatment and not to any other person.  

F. Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR)

1. Confidentiality: All of the information I provide to Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy is protected by General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and is confidential unless disclosure is required by law. Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy will keep your personal information confidential and secure following the GDPR guidelines.

2. Case Reports: My case information may be used for the publication of case reports or case studies. Any information concerning my identity will be excluded from publication, thus maintaining my anonymity.

3. Disclosure for Harm: Sarah Shorter Acupuncture & Naturopathy will not share your information with third parties without your consent. However, if there is a belief that there is a risk of significant harm to yourself or another person, the information may be passed onto an appropriate authority using the legal basis of vital interest.